Times Higher Education (THE) has released its World University Rankings 2027, featuring several Pakistani universities among the world’s top 1,500-plus institutions. The 2027 rankings evaluate 2,297 universities across 118 countries and regions.
While no Pakistani university secured a place among the world’s top 500, several institutions from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and other cities were included in the rankings. Islamabad’s Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) secured the highest position among Pakistani institutions, ranking in the 551–600 band.
It was followed by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, in the 601–650 band, while COMSATS University Islamabad ranked in the 651–700 category. Three Pakistani universities, Bahauddin Zakariya University, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and the University of Lahore shared the 701–800 ranking band.
Nineteen Pakistani universities were placed in the 801–1000 band. These include Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Air University, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), Gomal University, Government College University Faisalabad, Government College University Lahore, Hazara University, the Institute of Space Technology, International Islamic University Islamabad, Islamia College Peshawar, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), the University of Education, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila, University of Malakand, University of Management and Technology (UMT), University of Okara, University of the Punjab and University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS).
Twelve Pakistani institutions were placed in the 1001–1200 category. These include Bahria University, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Riphah International University, UET Lahore, UET Peshawar, the University of Gujrat, the University of Peshawar and the University of Sargodha.
Another 12 Pakistani universities were included in the 1201–1500+ ranking bracket. These are Allama Iqbal Open University, Dow University of Health Sciences, Khyber Medical University, King Edward Medical University, Lahore College for Women University, National University of Medical Sciences, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Superior University, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, University of Health Sciences, University of Karachi and Virtual University of Pakistan.