After years of controversy and a high-profile case that landed former PM Imran Khan in prison, the £190 million (Rs54 billion) returned to Pakistan by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is finally getting a purpose — and no, it’s not for private liabilities this time. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved using the funds to build the Daanish University of Emerging Technologies in Islamabad and Daanish Schools in neglected areas, turning what was once a symbol of scandal into a late attempt at educational reform.
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The money, which Imran Khan’s government had famously adjusted against private liabilities, will now be used to build a state-of-the-art university and schools. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, claims the university will be “self-sustainable” with a hefty endowment, while leftover funds will be sprinkled across remote areas for Daanish Schools — a pet project of Shehbaz Sharif since 2010.
Interestingly, the Supreme Court, which had custody of the funds, has also given the green light for this new plan. An independent oversight committee will keep an eye on how the money is spent, with Shehbaz himself leading an 11-member team — because who else can you trust to spend £190 million wisely?
Critics are quick to point out the irony: funds once tied to a corruption case are now being marketed as a noble investment in education. As if to rub salt in the wound, the federal government’s plan to build schools in provinces — despite education being a provincial matter — is seen as a power move to overshadow political rivals.
For those wondering about transparency, rest assured: a special purpose vehicle will manage the funds so they don’t just vanish by the end of the financial year. Meanwhile, Ahsan Iqbal will lead a panel of experts to decide which courses and research fields will best serve the “emerging technologies” agenda.
In the end, what was once a scandal involving billions has been rebranded as a heroic effort to uplift education — a move sure to inspire students and political rivals alike.
