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Pakistan has made a strong mark in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, with 48 universities earning a place on the list. This year, 99 Pakistani institutions participated in the rankings, out of which 48 were ranked, while the rest received “Reporter” status.
Globally, 2,191 universities from 115 countries were evaluated for the 2026 edition, making it one of the most competitive rankings to date.
Quaid-i-Azam University Leads Locally
Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) remains the highest-ranked Pakistani institute, placed in the 401–500 band globally. It continues to set the benchmark for academic and research excellence in the country.
Meanwhile, several other prominent names such as NUST, COMSATS University Islamabad, University of Lahore, and Air University also secured places in the 601–800 range.
List of Top 10 Ranked Pakistani Universities
Below is the complete list of top 10 Pakistani universities included in THE World University Rankings 2026:
| Ranking in Pakistan | Global Ranking
(Range) |
University Name |
| 1 | 401–500 | Quaid-i-Azam University |
| 2 | 601–800 | Air University |
| 3 | 601–800 | Bahauddin Zakariya University |
| 4 | 601–800 | COMSATS University Islamabad |
| 5 | 601–800 | Government College University Faisalabad |
| 6 | 601–800 | National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) |
| 7 | 601–800 | Sukkur IBA University |
| 8 | 601–800 | University of Lahore |
| 9 | 601–800 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore |
| 10 | 801–1000 | Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan |
Iqra University Makes Impressive Debut
A key highlight this year is Iqra University’s debut in the global rankings. For the first time, it has earned a place and ranked 10th among Pakistani universities. In addition, university performed notably well in Research Quality and International Outlook, two major indicators used by THE.
A Growing Presence on the Global Stage
The rising number of Pakistani universities in global rankings reflects improving research output, stronger academic programs, and increased international collaboration. Meanwhile, with more institutions aiming for global standards now, Pakistan’s higher education sector is steadily gaining international recognition.
