HEC Directed to Streamline Degree Attestation Process, NA Committee Calls for End to Delays and Financial Burden

NA Committee Orders HEC to End Degree Attestation Delays

To alleviate the persistent difficulties faced by students and graduates, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances has officially directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to significantly reduce the turnaround time for degree attestation . The directive was issued during a committee meeting held on Friday, where lawmakers voiced strong concerns that the current system is not only overly complicated but also imposes an unnecessary financial strain on students.

The meeting, chaired by MNA Nuzhat Sadiq, focused on reviewing the implementation report of an assurance previously given by the Minister for Education on the floor of the House. The assurance pertained to the systemic issues plaguing the degree attestation infrastructure, a critical process required for higher education admissions, employment, and foreign travel.

Committee Demands Faster Processing for Attestation Applications

During the session, members of the committee expressed their dissatisfaction with the status quo, emphasizing that the time elapsed between the submission of an application and the final attestation must be minimized. They argued that the current bureaucratic hurdles force students to wait for extended periods, often derailing their career and academic plans.

"The existing system is a labyrinth that places a heavy financial burden on our youth," the committee observed. "The time taken from submission of an attestation application to its completion must be minimized immediately."

HEC Announces Blockchain-Based Solution

In response to the committee's concerns, the HEC chairman briefed the attendees on the commission’s ongoing digital transformation efforts. He revealed that a comprehensive, robust, and secure blockchain-based system is currently under development to address these very issues.

According to the chairman, the new digital infrastructure aims to eradicate fraudulent degrees, reduce processing times, and enhance transparency. He updated the committee on the project timeline, stating that it is expected to be fully implemented before June 30th, 2026 . In its initial phase, the system will link HEC with 25 universities across the country and the Attestation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . This interconnectivity is expected to allow for the seamless verification and attestation of degrees, significantly cutting down the current waiting period.

To ensure a holistic understanding of the current workflow, the committee also sought a joint presentation by the HEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to map out the entire degree attestation process and identify bottlenecks.

Inclusion of Professional Degrees in Reimbursement Scheme

Beyond the attestation delays, the committee addressed another critical issue regarding the exclusion of newly introduced professional degrees from the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund fee reimbursement scheme. Specifically, the committee discussed the case of emerging fields such as Business Data Analytics, which were not covered under the existing rules, leaving students enrolled in these programs without financial support.

The Standing Committee took a firm stance on this exclusion, directing the Establishment Division to immediately revise its bylaws. The directive mandates the inclusion of all professional degrees recognized by HEC and relevant accreditation councils, ensuring that students pursuing modern and market-driven education are not left behind.

The Secretary of the Establishment Division assured the committee that the necessary amendments to the rules would be enacted swiftly. He confirmed that the division would work to include newly introduced professional degrees in the reimbursement scheme, thereby extending financial coverage to students in these emerging fields.

Significance of the Directives

The directives from the National Assembly Standing Committee mark a significant intervention in the higher education sector. For years, students and parents have complained about the cumbersome process of degree attestation, which often requires multiple visits to HEC regional offices and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The move towards a blockchain-based system is viewed by experts as a necessary leap toward digital governance, which could serve as a model for other government departments. By linking universities directly with HEC and the Foreign Office, the new system promises to end the era of manual verification and reduce opportunities for corruption and document forgery.

Furthermore, the expansion of the Benevolent Fund’s reimbursement scheme to include data analytics and other contemporary professional degrees aligns with the country's need for a future-ready workforce. By ensuring financial barriers do not prevent students from enrolling in these programs, the government is encouraging specialization in high-demand fields.

The committee has directed the relevant authorities to submit compliance reports on both the attestation timeline reduction and the rule amendments for professional degrees in upcoming sessions.