Education Committee Flags Administrative Irregularities

Islamabad (Nayyer Naveed) The Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training held a meeting in Islamabad to discuss major issues concerning the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Federal Urdu University, and child protection in educational institutions. During the session, committee member Abdul Aleem Khan questioned the HEC about the report prepared by a special commission on the financial and administrative affairs of the Federal Urdu University, demanding to know when it would be submitted. Chairperson Shazia Sobia Soomro expressed serious concern that the university had not held its convocation for the past thirteen years, terming it a sign of weak administration and urging the HEC to take prompt corrective measures. The committee also decided to defer consideration of the Westminster University of Emerging Sciences Bill until the next meeting to allow further review. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the growing problem of child harassment and its impact on children’s mental health. Shazia Sobia Soomro noted that harassment incidents were contributing to rising psychological distress among students, while Abdul Aleem Khan called for accurate statistics on reported cases. Committee member Anjum Aqeel Khan questioned how awareness regarding harassment was being promoted in rural schools and criticized private schools for not adhering to government policies. The committee unanimously approved the Allied Institute Multan after confirming that all formal requirements had been met, and members collectively emphasized the need for stricter oversight, awareness campaigns, and mental health support programs to ensure safer and more accountable educational environments across Pakistan.