KP govt halts funding UEAS campuses being built in Swat

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has halted the funding to the under-construction campuses of the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences (UEAS) in Swat at mid of the project.

The physical progress on the Brikot campus was around 45 percent, Arcot campus 61 percent, and Kalam campus 55 percent. However, the government agreed to provide funds only to the main campus in Kabal with reduced cost, where 64 percent of the work has already been completed. The revised PC 1 on reduced cost has been sent for consideration and approval.

It was learnt that the construction of the main and three satellite campuses of the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences (UEAS) in Swat has been delayed due to insufficient funds. The KP government has decided to stop funding to Brikot, Arcot, and Kalam campuses after clearing the contractor’s liabilities. The Higher Education Department (HED) has advised the project authorities to prioritise the main campus in Kabal and expedite the university’s relocation to this site. The project is now reflected in the ADP 2025-26, extending its timeline with complete reduced cost in ADP 2025-26.

The UEAS is a flagship project of the previous PTI government began on January 14, 2021, and includes four campuses: Kabal (main campus), Brikot, Arcot, and Kalam. The approved total cost of the project was Rs9,980.490 million. The current physical progress is Kabal 64 percent, Brikot 45 percent, Arcot 61 percent, and Kalam 55 percent.

Initially approved with a budget of Rs7,941.379 million, the project received revised administrative approval on August 12, 2022, increasing the budget. However, due to funding challenges, only Rs2.6 billion has been spent so far, leading to a reduced scope and prioritisation of feasible tasks within the available resources.

In August 2023, Dr Qasim Khan was appointed as the project director, which revitalised the project, pushing progress from 35 percent to 60 percent. The strategic direction includes operationalising the main campus at Kabal and shifting academic activities from the rented building in Kanju Township to the purpose-built campus.

Despite challenges, the administration has worked towards reducing liabilities and ensuring the optimal use of resources, leading to the submission of a revised PC-1 with reduced costs. The project is now reflected in the ADP 2025-26, extending its timeline.

Dr Qasim told this correspondent that the university statutes were approved in October 2023, creating 104 regular positions. The UEAS successfully launched a BS AI program, increasing student enrollment from 24 to 74. The government has also appointed VC and the university has advertised the positions.

A meeting chaired by the Minister of Higher Education on July 10, 2024, led to a decision to reflect the project at a reduced cost in the ADP 2025-26, aiming to operationalise the university.

Meena Khan, Minister of Higher Education said that the academic scope will be realigned to modern skill sets like data sciences, artificial intelligence, and cyber security to promote the digital economy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A subsequent presentation to the Additional Chief Secretary on July 23, 2024, confirmed that the Kabal campus will be completed on priority, with contractor liabilities cleared to avoid litigation issues. The revised PC 1 on reduced cost has been forwarded to the competent forum for consideration and approval.