HEC Publishes Updated List of Fake Universities and Unauthorized Campuses in Pakistan

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a fresh warning to students and parents by releasing an updated list of fake universities and illegal campuses operating across Pakistan.

According to the commission, these institutions are either completely unrecognized or are running unauthorized campuses without official approval. HEC emphasised that degrees issued by such entities hold no legal or academic value within Pakistan or abroad.

Fake and Illegal Institutions Spread Across Provinces

The list includes dozens of institutions from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the federal capital. Many of these organisations are offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs despite lacking accreditation or legal status.

In Punjab alone, numerous colleges and institutes have been flagged for operating without approval or misrepresenting their affiliation with recognized universities. Similar cases have been identified in other regions, where institutions are either functioning independently without authorization or running illegal extensions of registered universities.

HEC List of Fake Universities and Illegal Campuses 

Punjab

• All affiliated colleges with Global Institute, Lahore
• All Heritage International Colleges (HICs) across Punjab
• The Open International University for Complimentary Medicines (Pakistan operations)
• American International University, Lahore
• Softlogix College of Information Technology, Lahore
• TIU Institute, Lahore
• Pakistan College of Science & Technology, Faisalabad
• AIMS Institute of Management Sciences, Multan
• National Textile College of Professional Sciences & IT, Lahore
• Standard Institute of Emerging Technologies & Sciences (SIETS), Lahore
• Michigan International College, Lahore
• American International College, Lahore
• Rawal Open International University of Alternative Medicine, Rawalpindi
• INFOVISION Institute, Lahore
• Opstech College of Computer Science, Lahore
• CIT College, Rawalpindi
• University College of Commerce, Khanewal
• Leads Law College, Burewala
• Comstech Law College, Multan
• Lahore University of Computer Excellence
• Cosmiq Institute of Technology, Lahore Cantt
• NICON College of Computer Sciences, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad
• SINTEC System, Rawalpindi
• Higher Education College, Faisalabad
• The National College, Faisalabad
• Excelsior College of Information Technology, Lahore
• Independent University (Independent Medical College), Faisalabad
• Preston University (Faisalabad Campus and Rawalpindi School of Business)
• Institute of Professional Studies, Lahore
• Matrix Institute of Emerging Science, Lahore
• Lahore School of Information Technology
• Institute of Management Sciences, Faisalabad
• College of Business Administration (Lahore and Sargodha)
• Wah Institute of Management Technology
• Multan Institute of Management Sciences
• ABACUS College, Rawalpindi
• College of Advance Professional Studies, Sahiwal
• UK College of Technology, Bahawalpur
• Leads Institute of Management Sciences, Lahore
• Lahore Metropolitan University
• Islamic University of Pakistan, Sialkot

Sindh

• Preston Institute (all campuses except Karachi main campus)
• The Elites University, Karachi
• American World University International, Karachi
• Glamshire University, Karachi
• American University of Hawaii, Karachi
• East-West University, Karachi
• International University of America, Karachi
• Western International University, Karachi
• Washington University, Karachi
• University of Southern, Karachi
• University of Houston Clear Lake (Karachi campus)
• University of Economics and Technology, Karachi
• Lincoln Institute, Karachi
• University of Islamic Study, Karachi
• American School of London, Karachi
• College Swiss Switzerland (Karachi operations)
• Institute of Management Science and Arts, Hyderabad
• Mehran Institute of IT, Hyderabad
• SPIRIT Institute, Karachi
• Institute of Science and Management, Karachi
• Pakistan Institute of Professional Science, Karachi
• Allama Muhammad Yusuf Binnori Islamic University

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

• Al-Khair University (all campuses except Bhimber)
• Institute of Advance Studies of Information Technology, Dadyal
• Pak Kashmir Institute of IT, Mirpur

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)

• Agha Computers, Abbottabad
• Islamabad Computer Institute, Dargai
• Flash Institute of Computer Studies, Peshawar
• Square Soft Systems, Shinkiari
• College of Computer and Information Technology, Swat
• Global College of Information Technology (Thana and Buner, Swat)
• Aryan University, Peshawar
• National College of Computer Sciences, Bannu
• Imam Ghazali University, Peshawar
• Abu Ali Seena University, Peshawar

Islamabad (Federal Capital)

• Islamabad Law College
• Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts

Degrees from Such Institutions Declared Invalid

HEC has clearly stated that any degree obtained from these fake or unlawful institutions will not be recognized. Students enrolled in such programs may face serious consequences, including rejection of their qualifications for jobs, higher education, or professional licensing.

The commission further noted that some institutions deceive students by claiming foreign affiliations or using names similar to reputable universities to appear legitimate.

Public Urged to Verify Before Admission

To avoid falling victim to fraudulent institutions, HEC has advised students to verify the status of universities and campuses through its official website before applying. The commission regularly updates its database of recognized and unrecognized institutions to help the public make informed decisions.

Ongoing Efforts to Curb Academic Fraud

As the regulatory authority for higher education in Pakistan, HEC continues to monitor and take action against illegal educational setups. The commission aims to safeguard students’ academic futures and maintain the credibility of the country’s education system.