Quaid-i-Azam Tops as 48 Pakistani Universities Make Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026

The higher education system in Pakistan has been amazing by making 48 universities listed in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026. At the forefront, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, has been placed in the 401–500 bracket, whereas Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, made a praiseworthy move of nearly 400 points upwards to the 601–800 category. Ten universities are positioned within the range of 1001-1200; among them, the institutions are: Bahria University, Hazara University, Mansehra, Institute of Space Technology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Riphah International University, The University of Haripur, University of Education, Lahore, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar, University of Okara, and University of Peshawar. Apart from the 10 institutions, eight others are placed between 1201 and 1500, while the six that fall in the category of 1501+ are indicators of the country’s increasing involvement in the global higher education scene. 🌍 Global Highlights The 2026 World University Rankings recognizes 2,191 institutions coming from 115 different nations and territories. Universally, the University of Oxford continues to be the first for the tenth time in a row, supported by an effective research environment. Princeton University climbed up to the joint third rank — its maximum position ever — while China has now five institutions among the top 40 (this is an increase from three last year). Hong Kong made it to the top 200 with a record six universities, and India has now the second-highest number of ranked institutions after the US. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings still remain the only international performance lists that evaluate research-oriented universities in the light of their four primary missions teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outreach. The evaluation method applies 18 meticulously calibrated