More Sindh universities extend enhanced housing allowance

KARACHI: More public-sector universities in Sindh have begun implementing the federal government’s revised House Ceiling Allowance, extending the increase to teaching and non-teaching staff as living costs continue to rise.

After NED University of Engineering and Technology adopted the higher allowance, two other Karachi institutions — Dawood University of Engineering and Technology and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari — have also started disbursing the revised amount to employees. Officials at both universities confirmed that the allowance is being paid with an 85 per cent increase and is being released along with monthly salaries.

The increase was announced in the federal government’s 2025-26 budget and was put into effect through a notification issued in November 2025. NED University has already been paying the revised House Ceiling Allowance for several months.

Dawood University approval process

According to university officials, Dawood University secured approval for the revised allowance after endorsements from its Syndicate and Senate, followed by formal clearance from the Sindh chief minister in his capacity as the university’s controlling authority.

Officials said the chief minister approved the proposal on the condition that the Sindh government would not bear any additional financial burden. A senior university official said the institution would meet the expense from its own funds.

"We are funding the enhanced allowance from the university's own resources," they said, further adding that "Through effective financial planning, the university has sufficient funds and grants available to support the increase without seeking additional government assistance."

Lyari varsity includes increase in salaries

Officials at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari said employees had been pressing the administration to introduce the revised allowance after similar steps were taken at NED University and Dawood University.

An official at the university said the House Ceiling Allowance was already part of employees’ monthly pay, and the institution therefore decided to implement the increase as well. The official added that salaries for April, paid in May, included the enhanced amount.

Under the revised framework, the allowance for Grade-22 officers has risen from about Rs89,000 to Rs165,000 per month.