A financial crisis is brewing at Karachi University (KU) as unpaid student dues have surpassed Rs. 2.101 billion from 2020 to 2024. With 16,506 defaulters across morning, evening, and Executive MBA programs, the university is struggling to bridge this significant financial gap.

Morning and Evening Program Defaulters

Morning program students account for Rs. 991.54 million in unpaid fees, with only 13,205 of 22,575 issued vouchers paid. Evening program defaulters add another Rs. 1,049.84 million to the total, with only 26.84% of fees collected from 6,543 students.

EMBA Program Arrears

The Executive MBA program, offered on weekends, has also contributed to the crisis. Out of Rs. 100.30 million in fees, Rs. 60.10 million remain unpaid, with a collection rate of 40.08%.

Concerns Raised at High-Level Meeting

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi chaired a meeting to address the issue, where faculty deans proposed strict measures. Recommendations included barring defaulters from exams, withholding admit cards, and possibly canceling enrollments or degrees for those failing to pay.

Yearly Trends in Fee Recovery

Fee payment trends reveal a concerning pattern. For evening programs in 2024, 60.10% of students paid their fees, compared to just 39% in 2021. Overall, the university has only managed to collect 36.39% of the total Rs. 3.094 billion in tuition fees over the years.

Defaulters Among Pass-Out Students

Even alumni have contributed to the financial burden. Of 151 pass-out students issued vouchers, only 46.36% cleared their dues, leaving the rest unpaid. Despite multiple opportunities to settle balances, many defaulters have ignored the administration’s leniency.

Karachi University’s administration is now left with little choice but to enforce stricter policies, ensuring only students with cleared dues receive admit cards and can appear in exams.

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