Punjab and ICT have nearly universal electricity access in government schools, while Balochistan and Sindh continue to face major infrastructure gaps.
ISLAMABAD: Only 65% of Pakistan’s public schools have access to electricity, with stark disparities across provinces, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26, highlighting persistent infrastructure challenges in the country’s education sector.
The survey shows that electricity availability improves significantly at higher levels of education. However, a substantial proportion of primary schools continue to operate without power, particularly in Balochistan and Sindh, affecting the quality of the learning environment.
Electricity access increases with school level
According to the Economic Survey, electricity coverage rises progressively from primary to higher secondary schools.
| School level | Electricity access |
| Primary | 59% |
| Middle | 77% |
| High | 92% |
| Higher Secondary | 95% |
| Overall | 65% |
While almost all higher secondary schools have electricity, only 59% of primary schools are connected to the power supply, indicating that infrastructure development has been uneven across different levels of education.
Punjab achieves near-universal electrification
Punjab recorded the highest level of electricity access among the provinces, with virtually all government schools connected to the national grid.
| School level | Electricity access |
| Primary | 99% |
| Middle | 100% |
| High | 100% |
| Higher Secondary | 100% |
| Overall | 99% |
The province has effectively achieved universal electricity coverage, ensuring that almost every public school has access to power regardless of education level.
Sindh continues to lag behind
Electricity availability in Sindh remains significantly below the national average, particularly in primary schools.
| School level | Electricity access |
| Primary | 28% |
| Middle | 47% |
| High | 80% |
| Higher Secondary | 90% |
| Overall | 32% |
Although access improves considerably in secondary and higher secondary schools, fewer than one-third of government schools across the province have electricity.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa records strong coverage
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ranked second among the provinces in terms of electricity availability in public schools.
| School level | Electricity access |
| Primary | 75% |
| Middle | 78% |
| High | 91% |
| Higher Secondary | 97% |
| Overall | 77% |
The figures indicate relatively consistent infrastructure development across all education levels in the province.
Balochistan remains the most underserved
Balochistan recorded the lowest electricity coverage among Pakistan’s provinces, reflecting persistent infrastructure deficits.
| School level | Electricity access |
| Primary | 15% |
| Middle | 30% |
| High | 62% |
| Higher Secondary | 80% |
| Overall | 21% |
Only 15% of primary schools in the province have electricity, underscoring the significant challenges faced by students and teachers in many rural and remote areas.
AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and ICT
The Economic Survey also reported electricity access in public schools across other regions.
| Region | Overall electricity access |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) | 43% |
| Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) | 65% |
| Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) | 99% |
Islamabad Capital Territory has achieved almost universal electrification of government schools, while Gilgit-Baltistan matches the national average.
Infrastructure disparities remain a challenge
The findings of the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26 highlight significant regional inequalities in the availability of basic infrastructure within the public education system.
While Punjab and ICT have nearly universal electricity coverage in government schools, provinces such as Balochistan and Sindh continue to face substantial deficits, particularly at the primary level. The report underscores the importance of increased investment in school infrastructure to ensure equitable access to electricity, enhance learning conditions and support improved educational outcomes for students across Pakistan.