National Assembly Committee Mandates Faster Degree Attestation from HEC
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances issued a directive on Friday, compelling the Higher Education Commission to significantly shorten the processing time for degree attestation. The committee, chaired by Ms Nuzhat Sadiq, labeled the current mechanism as excessively cumbersome and financially taxing for students, urging immediate reforms to alleviate applicant hardships.
Review of Education Minister's Assurance
During the meeting, the committee meticulously reviewed an implementation report concerning an assurance previously provided by the Minister for Education on the floor of the House. This assurance addressed the persistent difficulties encountered in the degree attestation process. Committee members unanimously emphasized that the interval between application submission and completion must be drastically reduced to ease the burden on students.
HEC's Blockchain Initiative for Digital Transformation
In response, the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission briefed the committee on a forward-looking solution. He revealed that, as part of the Commission's digital transformation agenda, a comprehensive, robust, and secure blockchain-based system is currently in development. This innovative project aims to tackle procedural delays head-on and improve overall transparency in attestation services.
The Chairman further informed members that the system is scheduled for implementation before June 30, 2026. In its initial phase, it will establish connections between the HEC, 25 universities, and the Attestation Directorate of the Foreign Office. To monitor progress, the committee has requested a joint presentation from the HEC and the Foreign Office at its next meeting to assess coordination on this critical initiative.
Concerns Over Healthcare in Islamabad Housing Societies
Separately, the committee expressed deep concern regarding the absence of healthcare facilities in newly established housing societies across Islamabad. In response, it decided to summon the Registrar of Cooperative Societies and officials from the Capital Development Authority to discuss regulatory shortcomings.
Members observed that both the Cooperative Department and the CDA, as primary regulators of the capital's housing sector, should enforce mandatory provisions for healthcare space in approved master plans. They noted that the current lack of such facilities is exacerbating pressure on already overstretched public healthcare services in the federal capital.
Disposal of Electricity Billing Assurance
The committee also addressed and disposed of an assurance related to changes in electricity billing dates after accepting the justification presented by the Ministry of Power. Officials clarified that logistical constraints prevent simultaneous meter readings, necessitating phased operations. They assured that this issue would be resolved following the installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure meters.
Revision of Fee Reimbursement Rules
While examining the implementation of an assurance from the Minister for Cabinet Secretariat, the committee focused on the exclusion of newly introduced disciplines, such as business data analysis, from the fee reimbursement scheme of the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund. It directed the Establishment Division to revise its rules accordingly.
The committee recommended that all professional degrees recognized by the HEC and relevant accreditation councils be included in the reimbursement framework. The Secretary Establishment committed to amending the relevant rules in alignment with the committee's directives.
Meeting Attendance
The session was attended by Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, along with MNAs Raja Qamar-ul-Islam, Ms Muneeba Iqbal, Ms Natasha Daultana, Ms Shahida Rehmani, Ms Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui, Mr Hameed Hussain, Ms Sofia Saeed Shah, Ms Shaista Khan, Ms Sabeen Ghoury, and Ms Asia Naz Tanoli. Secretaries from concerned ministries and senior officials of relevant departments were also present.
