The department of Higher Education Punjab has administrative and financial control of the multi-tier higher education sector of the province. It manages public colleges with general as well as specific programs in all districts across Punjab. It also supervises Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education and public/private sector universities.
The mandate of HED as identified in the Rules of Business, 1974 is as follows:
- College education general (Post Matriculation to Post Graduate Level)
- Universities and university education excluding Agricultural University, Faisalabad
- Coordination of schemes for higher studies abroad
- Grant of scholarships
- Promotion of scientific research
- Organization of all public libraries including municipal and other libraries, and to keep liaison with universities, colleges and special libraries for improving the standard of research and scholarship, and further development of library science
- Ancient manuscripts and historical records
- Promotion of sports
- Service matters except those entrusted to Services and General Administration Department and Information Department
- Purchase of stores and capital goods for the department
- Improvement of scientific, technological and professional education