The permanent campus project of COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) in Abbottabad is facing uncertainty due to delays in government funding, raising concerns about the future of the institution’s long-term expansion plans.
At present, the Abbottabad campus operates from a rented facility located at Tobe Camp, a site owned by the Pakistan Army. The university has been using the premises for many years, and approximately 6,000 students are currently enrolled there.
According to available information, the lease agreement for the Tobe Camp facility was extended in 2001 for a period of 30 years before the previous lease expired in 2003. As the lease period moves closer to its end, university authorities are eager to shift academic operations to the planned permanent campus.
To address future needs, COMSATS University Islamabad prepared a development proposal in May 2020 titled “Infrastructure Development of COMSATS University Islamabad Permanent Campus, Abbottabad.” The project aims to establish a modern educational facility with improved academic and administrative infrastructure.
The proposed campus is designed to cover approximately 324,540 square feet and accommodate around 6,000 students currently studying at the Abbottabad campus. Officials believe the new facility would provide a better learning environment and support the university’s future growth.
The development project received approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on May 24, 2021. The approved cost of the project was estimated at Rs. 3.49 billion.
Despite receiving approval, the project has not yet been included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation under the Ministry of Science and Technology. As a result, the required funds have not been released.
University officials say that the shortage of funding has significantly slowed progress on the permanent campus. Most of the planned infrastructure work remains incomplete, preventing construction from moving forward at the desired pace.
The continued delay has raised concerns among students, faculty members, and stakeholders, as the completion of the permanent campus remains dependent on government financial support. Without timely funding, the project could face further setbacks, affecting plans to relocate thousands of students to the new facility
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