The Lodhran University Movement is actively working towards the establishment of a university in Lodhran, aiming to provide quality higher education opportunities to the students of District Lodhran. Inspired by the successful models of the
Islamia University Bahawalpur and Bahauddin Zakariya University,Multan the movement is advocating for the creation of the
Lodhran University with campuses in every tehsil of the district.
History and Key Milestones
The Lodhran University Movement was founded by
Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik on 17th September 2015. After a determined 40-day effort, on
6th November 2015, the then
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, announced the establishment of a university in Lodhran during a historical public gathering.
In the
second phase of the movement
(January–March 2017), resolutions for the establishment of Lodhran University were submitted to government institutions by civil society organizations. As a result, the
Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif issued a directive on 15th July 2017 to establish a
BZU Sub-Campus in Lodhran. The Government of Pakistan has approved the PC-1 (2018–2024) for BZU Sub-Campus Lodhran as leading to university, presented by the
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, Islamabad. Through the efforts of Federal Minister of State
Abdul Rehman Kanju at the national level and
Mian Rajan Sultan Pirzada, Chairman of the District Council Lodhran, at the local level, classes at the BZU Lodhran Sub-Campus officially began in
March 2018 under the leadership of Professor Hukumat Ali.
Third Phase and Progress
In January 2025, the Lodhran University Movement entered its third phase under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik. Civil society organizations and influential figures have voiced strong demands for the university’s establishment on social media and through official resolutions. The movement is now urging the Punjab Government, particularly the
Chief Minister of Punjab, Ms. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to approve the university through a formal act in the Punjab Assembly.
Recognizing the remarkable one-year performance and services of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik, after extensive consultations, proposed naming the university as the"Maryam Nawaz University of Lodhran".
Legislation and Land Allocation
Legislation for the university’s establishment is seen as a critical and foundational step. A committee comprising
Professor Dr. Aslam Adib (Pro-Rector, NCBA University Bahawalpur), Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik, (Founder, Lodhran University Movement) and other academic experts began working on the draft of the Lodhran University Act on 21st January 2025. After carefully considering future educational needs, the draft was completed by end of February 2025 and officially presented to the press on 28th February 2025.
The draft of the Maryam Nawaz University of Lodhran Act has been submitted to the Punjab Government, Political Leaders, Punjab Assembly representatives, and administrative authorities for approval. Additionally,245 acres of land have been allocated in Chak 99M, Lodhran and the file has been forwarded to the Board of Revenue Punjab for final approval.
A major legislative breakthrough in the Fourth Phase of the movement came with the formal completion and signing of the
Final Draft of the Act of Assembly required for the establishment of Maryam Nawaz University Lodhran (MNUL).
This important step was carried out at Bright Home, Lodhran, where the draft was officially signed by
Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik — Founder of the Lodhran University Movement, Founder of PARAT Pakistan, and Chairman of SAVAP International.
The signing marked the conversion of long-standing public advocacy into a structured legal framework ready for legislative consideration
and submission through the proper government channels.
To further strengthen the academic and institutional credibility of the proposed university, the draft was also formally endorsed by
Prof. Aslam Adeeb, Pro-Rector NCBA&E Bahawalpur Campus. His endorsement added professional academic validation
and demonstrated higher education sector support for the establishment of a public-sector university in Lodhran.
In parallel with the legal drafting process, the movement leadership actively engaged elected representatives to build broad-based
parliamentary and political support. Through a series of delegation visits and consultative meetings, formal signatures were obtained
from key public representatives on the Draft Act of Assembly.
MPA Zubair Khan Baloch signed the draft at Haveli Naseer Khan after detailed discussions regarding the educational
needs and long-term development of the Lodhran region.
In a separate visit to Ali Pur Kanju, a delegation led by
Dr. Ashraf Malik and Mr. Imran Rafique Rehan secured the signature and support of
MNA Abdul Rehman Kanju, Minister of State for Power Division.
These endorsements reflect growing political consensus and multi-level legislative backing for MNUL, significantly strengthening
the case for early approval and implementation of the university project.
Furthermore, a PKR 1.18 billion project for the university’s building has been submitted by Dr Lubna Nazir DC Lodhran to the Punjab Government through theHigher Education Department for inclusion in the 2025–2026 Annual Development Plan.
Ch. Muhammad Ashraf, Deputy Commissioner Lodhran, expressed full administrative support for the establishment of
Maryam Nawaz University Lodhran and assured that the district administration would actively facilitate the case at all required levels.
He emphasized that all necessary procedural and coordination steps would be undertaken to advance the approval process, and that the
proposal for allocation of construction funds for the university building would be resubmitted under the
Annual Development Plan (ADP) 2026–2027 with a revised and more effective strategy to enhance the likelihood of approval
and timely implementation.
Fourth Phase – 2026: Establishment of Maryam Nawaz University Lodhran
The Fourth Phase of the Lodhran University Movement (2026) marks a major step forward toward the establishment of
Maryam Nawaz University Lodhran (MNUL) through coordinated legal, academic, legislative, and administrative actions.
During this phase, strong institutional support and formal endorsements significantly advanced the approval process of the University Act
and development planning.
The District Bar Association Lodhran unanimously passed a special resolution in a meeting of the Council of Presidents,
formally demanding the immediate establishment of Maryam Nawaz University Lodhran. This historic resolution reflects united support
from the legal community of the district.
A key legislative milestone was achieved when the Final Draft of the Act of Assembly for the establishment of MNUL was
signed at Bright Home, Lodhran by Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Malik — Founder Lodhran University Movement, Founder PARAT Pakistan,
and Chairman SAVAP International. The draft was further endorsed by
Prof. Aslam Adeeb, Pro-Rector NCBA&E Bahawalpur Campus, strengthening academic backing for the project.
The movement delegation also secured signatures and support from elected representatives.
MPA Zubair Khan Baloch signed the Draft Act at Haveli Naseer Khan, while
MNA Abdul Rehman Kanju, Minister of State for Power Division, signed the Draft Act at Ali Pur Kanju
during a delegation visit led by Dr. Ashraf Malik and Mr. Imran Rafique Rehan.
A high-level delegation of the Lodhran University Movement met with
Ch. Muhammad Ashraf, Deputy Commissioner Lodhran, who assured full administrative cooperation.
He committed that all required administrative, procedural, and inter-departmental measures would be actively pursued to
facilitate approval of the University Act by the Punjab Assembly. He assured that the case would be properly documented, coordinated
with the relevant provincial departments, and forwarded through the appropriate official channels, with continuous follow-up and
institutional support to help ensure smooth and timely legislative approval.
DC Lodhran further committed to pursuing all necessary administrative and procedural measures to secure approval of funds following the resubmission of the proposal for allocation of construction funds for the university building under the Annual Development Plan (ADP) 2026–2027, ensuring proper documentation, official coordination, and continuous follow-up to support timely budgetary approval.
This phase represents a decisive transition from advocacy to formal legislative and administrative progress,
bringing Maryam Nawaz University Lodhran closer to realization.
Future Outlook
The Lodhran University Movement remains committed to ensuring that Lodhran University becomes a reality, providing top-tier educational facilities to the students of Lodhran. The support of the Punjab Government, local political leaders, and civil society will be key to transforming this vision into reality.
For more updates on the movement’s progress, visit the official Lodhran University Movement Facebook page.