Sir: The chairman of HEC Dr Tariq has said that allocation of funds for new universities are stopped because of cut in the federal budget for education, however, this reduction is yet not finalised by the Parliament though discussion on this subject is yet continued in the National Assembly. The decision of HEC’s chairman can put the literacy rates at the risk as since past two years numerous universities were established in rural areas. If the funds won’t be provided to them, the students will give up as they cannot afford to move to Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad for the sake of getting education. Pakistan has just 62 percent of literacy rates and such decision can put the education at risk. The HEC is requested to reallocate the funds because the education can only be the greatest source to develop the country. SAKEENA LB Kech