82 Pakistani universities have earned spots in the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2026.
The rankings are the clear manifestations of Pakistan’s growing academic presence in the region, showcasing how the country is making progress in research, innovation, and teaching quality.
So Who Topped the Ranking?
As per the results, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) is coming at the top of the national list, and it was capable of securing rank 68 in Asia.
Next after NUST is Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), which is ranked at 89th position, which is pretty good, and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) at rank 129, and it depicts that the Islamabad and Lahore-based institutions in higher education hold the top place reputation-wise.
A milestone moment for Pakistan
The inclusion of 82 Pakistani universities in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026 is a milestone moment, indicating Pakistan’s improvement in academic reputation, employability, and international collaboration. It depicts how local institutions are steadily aligning with global benchmarks.
From science and technology to social sciences and business, universities across Pakistan are making their mark — enhancing not just national prestige but also the country’s attractiveness for international students and researchers.
Pakistani Universities in QS ranking 2026
Below is the complete list of Pakistani universities featured this year — reflecting academic excellence from Islamabad to Karachi, Lahore to Quetta:
Top performers: NUST, QAU, and LUMS lead the way
Topping the national pack is NUST (National University of Sciences & Technology) at rank 68 in Asia, followed by Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) at 89, and Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) at 129. These institutions set the tone — strong research output, industry links, and growing international collaborations.
1. National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad — 68
2. Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad — 89
3. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore — 129
4. COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad — 150
5. University of the Punjab, Lahore — 151
6. The University of Lahore, Lahore — 187
7. University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Lahore, Lahore — 192
8. University of Peshawar, Peshawar — 226
9. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Faisalabad — 232
10. Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad — 238
11. International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIU), Islamabad — 280
12. University of Karachi, Karachi — 298
13. Air University Pakistan, Islamabad — 328
14. Government College University, Faisalabad, Faisalabad — 329
15. Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi — 332
16. University of Management and Technology, Lahore — 351
17. Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan — 354
18. University of Central Punjab, Lahore — 364
19. Riphah International University, Islamabad — 366
20. Aga Khan University, Karachi — 382
21. Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan — 406
22. Government College University Lahore, Lahore — 410
23. Bahria University, Islamabad — 416
24. University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Taxila — 416
25. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur — 434
26. National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad — 437
27. Lahore School of Economics, Lahore — 474
28. NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi — 478
29. National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad — 483
30. Sukkur IBA University, Sukkur — 504
31. Iqra University, Karachi — 517
32. University of Malakand, Chakdara — 541
33. Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi — 542
34. Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi — 558
35. Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan — 564
36. University of Sargodha, Sargodha — 564
37. The University of Swabi, Ambar — 585
38. Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad — 586
39. Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi — 588
40. University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR), Rawalakot — 593
41. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro — 599
42. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (Pattoki) — 607
43. Hazara University, Mansahra — 614
44. National Textile University Faisalabad, Faisalabad — 620
45. Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad — 632
46. Institute of Business Management, Karachi — 632
47. Superior University, Lahore — 648
48. Lahore College for Women University, Lahore — 662
49. University of Education, Lahore — 662
50. University of Okara, Okara — 666
51. The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Peshawar — 671
52. The University of Haripur, Haripur — 711–720
53. Islamia College Peshawar, Peshawar — 731–740
54. BUITEMS (Balochistan University of IT, Engg & Management Sciences), Quetta — 741–750
55. Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad — 761–770
56. University of Swat KPK, Mingora — 761–770
57. University of Wah, Wah — 761–770
58. Dawood University Of Engineering & Technology, Karachi — 771–780
59. University of Gujrat, Gujrat — 771–780
60. Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore — 851–900
61. Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJK — 851–900
62. QUEST (Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science, and Technology), Sindh — 851–900
63. University of Sindh Jamshoro, Jamshoro — 851–900
64. Gomal University, D.I.Khan — 901–950
65. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan, Multan — 901–950
66. Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi — 951–1000
67. Government College Women University Sialkot, Sialkot — 951–1000
68. Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar — 951–1000
69. Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat — 951–1000
70. NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan — 951–1000
71. The University of Faisalabad, Faisalabad — 951–1000
72. University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal — 951–1000
73. Foundation University Islamabad, Islamabad — 1001–1100
74. Ziauddin University, Karachi — 1001–1100
75. Government College Women University Faisalabad, Faisalabad — 1101–1200
76. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, Peshawar — 1101–1200
77. Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi — 1201–1300
78. The Government Sadiq College for Women Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur — 1201–1300
79. The Women University Multan, Multan — 1201–1300
80. University of Balochistan, Quetta — 1201–1300
81. Beaconhouse National University, Lahore — 1301–1400
82. Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Karachi — 1301–1400
Read more: Oxford Pakistan Programme announces scholarships for Baloch students
How QS Ranks Asian Universities
The QS Asia University Rankings, published annually since 2009, evaluate universities using multiple indicators that go beyond traditional teaching scores. These include:
• Academic Reputation
• Employer Reputation
• Faculty-to-Student Ratio
• International Research Network
• Citations per Paper
• Papers per Faculty
• Staff with a PhD
• Proportion of International Faculty & Students
• Inbound and Outbound Exchange Students
These metrics collectively measure each university’s academic influence, global engagement, and research impact — areas where Pakistani universities are showing steady growth.
Top 10 Universities in Asia 2026
The University of Hong Kong topped the QS Asia 2026 rankings, overtaking Peking University (China). Singaporean institutions continue to dominate the top tier, with Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and National University of Singapore (NUS) sharing third place.
List Of Top 10 Asian Universities 2026:
1. The University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
2. Peking University (China)
3. Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
4. National University of Singapore (Singapore)
5. Fudan University (China)
6. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Hong Kong)
7. City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
8. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
9. Tsinghua University (China)
10. Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong)
What This Means for Pakistan’s Higher Education
The addition of these 82 universities from Pakistan is a record number — and it is clearly manifesting growing competitiveness and academic credibility in the region. It is considered to be an invitation for
- Greater international collaboration
- Research funding
- Student exchange opportunities.
As global education standards evolve, Pakistan’s universities are clearly on the path to establishing themselves as credible centers of excellence in Asia, which is a promising sign for the academic and economic future of the country.
Is the QS ranking of universities important?
The QS World University Rankings are a trustworthy worldwide standard for evaluating academic calibre, the significance of research, and institutional prestige. These rankings have a big impact on how scholars, researchers, and aspiring students search for partnerships and learning opportunities.
By highlighting the successes of elite colleges, the rankings promote a culture of healthy competition and push institutions to continuously pursue innovation, academic rigour, and major research.
Institutions have received recognition for their contributions to research, academic achievement, and general influence on the education sector.
These universities must keep working to raise their rankings and become competitive with the world’s best universities going forward.