HEC makes Quran courses mandatory in universities from Fall 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed all universities and affiliated colleges across Pakistan to ensure the inclusion of two mandatory courses on the understanding of the Holy Quran in undergraduate and graduate degree programmes starting from Fall 2025.

In an official circular issued by the HEC’s Academics Division, Director Dr Farida Anjum reminded vice chancellors, rectors and heads of higher education institutions to implement the courses titled “Understanding of the Holy Quran – I” and “Understanding of the Holy Quran – II” at all levels — undergraduate, MS/MPhil, and PhD.

Each course carries 0–1 credit hour and must be taught exclusively in physical mode, the circular said.

The HEC said that the initiative was first introduced under a 2005 directive to promote greater comprehension of the Quran’s message among students.

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The commission has now sought updated implementation reports from all degree-awarding institutions (DAIs) and higher education institutions (HEIs), confirming whether the courses have been incorporated into their curricula.

The universities have also been asked to share details on faculty orientation and training. The HEC inquired whether Arabic and Islamic Studies teachers designated for the courses had received or were scheduled to receive training through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) before the start of the new academic session.

The circular stated that the HEC is developing a monitoring mechanism to track compliance with the directive.

Institutions have been asked to submit their progress and fill out an online form provided by the commission to ensure uniform adoption across all public and private universities.

The HEC said timely compliance would help maintain consistency in the implementation of the Quran understanding courses throughout the country’s higher education institutions.