A nationwide assessment of IT students has exposed significant concerns about the quality of higher education in Pakistan, with only 0.4 percent of participants scoring above 80 percent in the National Skills Competency Test.
The results were presented during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the state of IT education and workforce readiness across the country.
According to officials, the test was conducted by the Higher Education Commission to evaluate whether university students possess the technical skills required by the modern job market. A total of 33,038 students from 190 higher education institutions participated in the examination, which was held under strict monitoring arrangements nationwide.
The findings highlighted a major skills gap. Only 0.4 percent of students achieved scores above 80 percent, while 3.6 percent scored between 68 and 79 percent. Around 13.2 percent obtained marks between 58 and 67 percent, and 21.3 percent scored between 50 and 57 percent. More than 61 percent of participants failed to secure even 50 percent marks.
Expressing concern over the results, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the performance reflected a disconnect between university curricula and the rapidly evolving requirements of the global technology industry.
He directed relevant authorities to align IT education with international standards and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, and advanced digital skills. The prime minister also ordered an independent third-party audit of IT education and training programs offered by universities across Pakistan.
Officials informed the meeting that reform measures are already underway to improve the quality of IT education and better prepare graduates for employment opportunities in local and international markets.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Ahad Khan Cheema, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, and Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan.
The results come as Pakistan seeks to expand its digital economy and increase IT exports, underscoring the need for stronger industry-academia collaboration and modernized technology education.
