Public-sector universities in Sindh are increasingly adopting the federal government's enhanced House Ceiling Allowance for their employees, offering substantial financial relief amid soaring living expenses. Following NED University of Engineering and Technology's lead, two more Karachi-based institutions—Dawood University of Engineering and Technology and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari—have begun disbursing the increased allowance to both teaching and non-teaching staff.
Details of the Allowance Increase
Officials at both universities confirmed that the allowance is being paid with an 85% increase and is included in employees' monthly salaries. The enhancement was initially announced as part of the federal government's 2025-26 budget and formalized through a notification in November 2025.
Dawood University's Implementation
Sources at Dawood University revealed that the institution secured approval for the revised allowance after obtaining endorsements from its Syndicate and Senate, followed by formal approval from the Sindh Chief Minister, who serves as the university's controlling authority. The Chief Minister approved the proposal under the condition that no financial burden would fall on the Sindh government. A senior official stated, 'We are funding the enhanced allowance from the university's own resources. Through effective financial planning, the university has sufficient funds and grants available to support the increase without seeking additional government assistance.'
Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari's Adoption
At Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari, employees had been urging the administration to adopt the revised allowance after similar measures were implemented at NED and Dawood universities. An official explained, 'Since the House Ceiling Allowance was already being paid as part of employees' monthly salaries, the university decided to adopt the increase as well.' Salaries for April, paid in May, already included the enhanced allowance.
NED University's Earlier Implementation
NED University has been paying the revised House Ceiling Allowance for several months. Under the new structure, the allowance for Grade-22 officers has risen from approximately Rs89,000 to Rs165,000 per month, marking a significant increase that provides much-needed support to higher-ranking employees.
