HEC Degree Attestation Crisis Leaves 52,000 Students Waiting for 11 Years as Jobs and Promotions Hang in Balance
Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission came under scrutiny after lawmakers were told that around 52,000 to 54,000 students have been trapped in a long running degree attestation crisis linked to illegal institutions and sub campuses, with some affected graduates waiting since 2015. The issue has now become a career emergency for students and government employees whose jobs, promotions and future opportunities are at risk because their degrees remain stuck in verification and attestation delays.
During the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, HEC New Chairman Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar informed members that the issue dates back almost 11 years. At that time, students graduated from certain institutions only to later face problems because HEC identified those institutions or sub campuses as illegal after their graduation. The committee was told that these students had studied for four years and completed their degrees before HEC stopped the institutions.
The matter involves students from four institutions who were divided into three categories. Category A includes students whose admission forms, exams, results and other documents are complete. Category B includes those whose documents are complete but whose degrees have not yet been issued. Category C includes students whose records have some missing documents or other deficiencies.
The HEC chairman informed the committee that the Commission had decided to attest the degrees of Category A students whose documents were complete. However, the process was delayed again after one member raised doubts that even some Category A cases might need rechecking. As a result, a three member committee headed by the Vice Chancellor of UET Taxila, along with a Quaid i Azam University law professor and an HEC representative, was formed to re examine the record.
The delay triggered concern among members, who said many affected students are already overage, employed or waiting for promotions. One member said some departments are demanding verification within a fixed deadline, otherwise promotions may be blocked.
The committee chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt observed that the matter had already been resolved but was delayed again after a retiring official created fresh complications. She said the students had already suffered for years and now even a few more days could affect careers, jobs and promotion rights.
HEC officials said the new committee was expected to complete its work shortly, after which the attestation process would start. The chairman said the spirit of the exercise is to provide a way out to affected students, especially those who completed their education before HEC stopped the institutions.
The committee also discussed whether students with missing documents should be given relief where alternative proof exists, such as bank payment records. A member argued that if a student had actually studied and paid fees through banking channels, missing receipts or incomplete paperwork should not automatically destroy the student’s future. HEC said such cases would be considered.
HEC also briefed the committee on its new online attestation system. Officials said students will now apply online, HEC will send the record to the relevant university for verification, and once confirmation is received, e attestation will be completed without requiring the student to appear physically at HEC offices.
The committee appreciated the digitization effort, noting that students from far flung areas previously had to travel, spend money, stay overnight and face repeated hardship for degree attestation. The chairperson said the new system showed improvement and that every candidate could now be tracked through a serial number and real time data.
HEC further informed the committee that it hopes to link the attestation system with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so students do not have to go through separate physical verification. Help desks are also being planned for areas where internet access may be weak.
The committee directed HEC to provide real time data in the next meeting showing how many affected students had been facilitated and how many cases remained pending. Members said they wanted to remain fully informed because the matter directly affects the careers, promotions and livelihoods of thousands of students.
The meeting also touched on the growing use of artificial intelligence in academic plagiarism. Members warned that students are using ChatGPT and other AI tools to prepare theses and assignments in ways teachers cannot easily detect. HEC officials said an AI policy is under preparation and acknowledged that software based solutions will be required because AI misuse has become a global university challenge.
Read in Urdu: ایچ ای سی ڈگری تصدیق بحران، 52 ہزار سے زائد طلبہ 11 سال سے انتظار میں، نوکریاں اور ترقیاں خطرے میں پڑ گئیں
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