A total of 52 universities from Pakistan have been included in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, highlighting the country’s growing role in sustainability, research, and global academic engagement.

The latest rankings evaluated 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories based on their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

University of Lahore Makes History

The biggest achievement for Pakistan came from the University of Lahore, which secured the 71st position globally.

With this achievement, the University of Lahore became the first Pakistani university to enter the world’s top 100 in the sustainability-focused rankings.

Other Top Pakistani Universities in the Rankings

Several other Pakistani institutions also performed strongly in the latest rankings.

Universities placed in the 301–400 band include:

• Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology
• MNS University of Agriculture
• Superior University

Several other universities from across Pakistan were also featured in different ranking bands.

How Are the Rankings Measured?

The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings assess universities based on several important factors, including:

• Research quality
• Community outreach
• Teaching performance
• Institutional stewardship
• Contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

To qualify for the overall ranking, universities must submit data for SDG 17, known as Partnerships for the Goals, along with at least three other Sustainable Development Goals.

Pakistan Among Leading Countries

Pakistan was one of only nine countries to have more than 50 universities represented in the global rankings.

This strong representation reflects the increasing focus of Pakistani universities on sustainability initiatives, research impact, and international academic standards.

Global Leaders in the Rankings

At the global level, the University of Manchester ranked first overall, while Griffith University secured the second position.

The rankings also noted that the Philippines had the highest number of universities included in the list, with 160 institutions featured.

Why This Achievement Matters

The inclusion of 52 Pakistani universities in the global rankings is an important achievement for the country’s higher education sector.

The results show that Pakistani institutions are improving in areas such as sustainability, research, and social impact while gaining greater international recognition.

Conclusion

The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026 have brought positive news for Pakistan’s education sector. With 52 universities featured and the University of Lahore reaching the global top 100, the country has achieved a significant milestone in higher education and sustainability efforts.