Pakistan, June 24 -- ISLAMABAD - The government of Pakistan has asked the World Bank for a fourth extension of its $393.73 million Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project. The request aims to allow four more months to finish key IT and digital infrastructure work at public universities, which officials say will have a long-term impact beyond the project's lifespan.

The project, now in its sixth year, focuses on supporting research, improving teaching, and strengthening university governance. Despite achieving many of its goals, five IT-related packages remain incomplete due to delays in hardware delivery and other procedural issues. The Economic Affairs Division has submitted a formal request to the World Bank for the ext...