Times World University Rankings 2026: 48 Pakistani Universities Featured

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.