LARKANA, November 6, 2026: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, accompanied by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, has formally inaugurated the University of Larkano to expand access to higher education for students in Sindh.
The university has been established by merging the former Larkana campuses of the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, and Quaid-e-Awam University, along with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Agricultural College and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Law College.
Established under the University of Larkano Act, 2023, the institution formally began operations on January 1, 2024.
University Offers Multiple Academic Programs
During the inauguration ceremony, Bilawal Bhutto visited various university departments, including Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, Agricultural Sciences and Law.
Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Naik Muhammad Shaikh briefed him on the university’s establishment, academic structure, facilities and educational programmes.
The university currently offers 26 academic programmes across five faculties, covering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral education. Its academic fields include engineering, agriculture, management sciences, commerce, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences.
Emerging disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering and Computer Science are also part of its academic offerings.
2,875 Students Currently Enrolled
According to the briefing, approximately 2,875 students are currently enrolled at the University of Larkano.
The university aims to provide students from Larkana and surrounding districts with greater access to higher education without requiring them to travel to distant cities for academic opportunities.
Bilawal Bhutto said that leaving home to pursue higher education should be a matter of choice rather than compulsion. He also expressed hope that research conducted at the university would help improve agricultural production, address urban challenges and create new opportunities for young people.
University Faces Financial and Infrastructure Challenges
During the visit, the Sindh chief minister also briefed Bilawal Bhutto on the university’s financial position, administrative matters and development requirements.
The institution has estimated available resources of Rs894.5 million for the financial year 2026-27, while its projected annual budget deficit stands at Rs524.3 million.
The briefing highlighted the need for additional government funding, infrastructure rehabilitation, improved laboratories, hostels and other academic facilities.
The university’s main campus at Arija also requires rehabilitation after being used as a flood relief camp during the devastating 2022 floods.
Focus on Higher Education in Larkana
The University of Larkano is expected to contribute to the educational, social and economic development of Larkana and other underserved areas of Sindh.
The establishment aims to strengthen public-sector higher education and provide local students with opportunities to pursue studies in modern academic disciplines.
Bilawal Bhutto expressed hope that graduates of the university would contribute to research, innovation and the country’s future development.
