Government College University (GCU) Lahore is set to return to its historic name, Government College Lahore, following a legislative decision by the Punjab government.
The change is part of a new law requiring six public sector higher education institutions in Punjab to remove the word “University” from their official names. The Punjab Higher Education Department issued a notification on October 23, directing vice chancellors and rectors of the affected institutions to implement the revised names under the Public Sector Universities (Amendment) Act, 2026.
The institutions included in the notification are:
-
Government College Lahore
-
Government College Faisalabad
-
Government College for Women Faisalabad
-
Government College for Women Sialkot
-
Government Sadiq College Bahawalpur
-
Lahore College for Women
According to the notification, the institutions will retain their existing higher education functions and responsibilities. The change will only affect their official names.
Established on January 1, 1864, Government College Lahore began with just nine students and gradually became one of Pakistan's most respected educational institutions.
The college received degree-awarding status in 1997 and was granted university status in 2002. It has since been known as Government College University Lahore.
The restoration of its former name marks a return to its historical identity, which is closely associated with prominent personalities such as Allama Iqbal, Nobel laureate Dr Abdus Salam and educationist Dr G. W. Leitner.
The Punjab government's decision has raised questions about how the name change will affect academic documents, including degrees and certificates issued to current students and graduates.
The department's notification does not provide specific instructions regarding academic records or mention a deadline for completing the transition.
The affected institutions are expected to take the necessary steps to implement the revised names in accordance with the new legislation. Former students have welcomed the decision, saying the restoration of Government College Lahore's historic name reflects the wishes of many alumni.
However, some have also called on the government to focus on improving the institution's academic standards and restoring its former reputation. The name change is expected to bring back the college's traditional identity while allowing it to continue its existing educational activities.
