18 Pakistani universities ranked among world's best for 2026
Eighteen universities from Pakistan have secured places in the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings, released by UK-based higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
The rankings include over 1,500 institutions from more than 100 countries, making it one of the most prestigious global assessments of universities.
Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, remains Pakistan's top-ranked institution, placed at 354 globally.
It is followed by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), tied at 371.
Other institutions in the top 600 include the University of Punjab at 542 and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) at 555.
The QS rankings evaluate universities on several indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, international student and faculty presence, and sustainability performance.
Here is the full list of Pakistani universities featured in the 2026 rankings:
354 : Quaid-e-Azam University
371 : National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
542 : University of Punjab
555 : Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
654 : University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
664 : COMSATS University Islamabad
721–730 : Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
761–770 : Government College University, Faisalabad
801–850 : University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore
901–950 : University of Peshawar
951–1000 : The University of Lahore
1001–1200 : Aga Khan University
1001–1200 : University of Karachi
1201–1400 : Bahauddin Zakariya University
1201–1400 : International Islamic University, Islamabad
1201–1400 : Riphah International University
1201–1400 : University of Management and Technology
1401+: The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
The rankings underscore the continued growth of Pakistan's higher education sector and its expanding global academic presence.
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