Delayed degrees issue again comes up in Senate panel meeting

ISLAMABAD: The issue of delayed degrees awarded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) was again raised as the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training met here on Tuesday with Senator Bushra Anjum Butt in the chair.

Senator Butt expressed serious concern over the plight of an estimated 25,000 students who had completed documentation but were yet to get their degrees. “If we can begin the process and manage to issue even 10,000 degrees, it would be a significant success,” she said, lamenting the dismay and hopelessness among the students affected by the fraudulent institutions. She emphasized that even students with no fault of their own had become unintended victims. Agenda items moved by Senator Kamran Murtaza regarding the law college affiliated with Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, were discussed and subsequently deferred. The committee decided to summon all stakeholders, including students and the administration, to provide a detailed briefing on affiliation issues and student concerns. Owing to the absence of the respective movers, the committee also deferred the University of Business Sciences and Technology Bill 2025, moved by Abdul Shakoor and the Nexus International University of Health, Emerging Sciences and Technology Islamabad Bill 2024, moved by Nasir Mehmood. Critical educational initiatives, developmental projects, and legislative proposals came under discussion. A key highlight of the meeting was in-depth discussion on the Proposed Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2025-26, with particular emphasis on the Center of Excellence for Autism in H-9/4, Islamabad. The committee was briefed on the total estimated cost of Rs2,730.709 million, with a proposed allocation of Rs2,336.000 million for the Fiscal Year 2025-26. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Senator Bushra Anjum Butt strongly emphasized the importance of providing world-class facilities for children with autism, citing the increasing prevalence of the condition. “Institutions for autism cannot fall below international standards. We must ensure best facilities and allocate additional resources if required,” she stated. She also raised concerns about the quality of food being served to students at the institutions run by the Allah Walay Trust.

She sought detailed information on the menu and nutritional value of meals provided. “Nutrient-rich food must be a non-negotiable standard,” she stressed, asking for a thorough justification of the dietary provisions. The committee was presented with a comprehensive update on several ongoing and new development schemes, including: Digital Transformation for Employability in AJK & GB – Estimated cost: Rs978.186 million. Establishment of Lab Institutions in Rural and Urban Areas – No budget specified.

- Introduction of School Support Specialists in 100 Schools (entrepreneurship, financial literacy, climate change) – 100 fellows, at a cost of Rs423.469 million.

- Establishment and Operation of 500 Non-Formal Hybrid Primary Schools / APL Centers in Karachi slum areas to enroll Out-of-School Children (OOSC). Ongoing projects reviewed included: - Enrolment, Retention and Progression of OOSC in Islamabad Capital Territory – Budget: Rs978 million, targeted for completion by June 30, 2025. - Establishment of Daanish School in ICT (Kuri) –completion by June 30, 2027. The committee also deferred the Private Member Bill titled, “The Federal Supervision of Curricula, Textbooks and Maintenance of Standards of Education (Amendment) Bill 2024”, pending final approval from the ministry. Senator Butt called for consultation with the Islamic Council of Ideology and directed that the final report be submitted within a fortnight. The meeting was attended by Senators Falak Naz, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Kamran Murtaza, Rahat Jamali, Khalida Ateeb, Qurat-ul-Ain Marri and representatives from relevant attached departments.