Key Takeaways
- HEC has introduced payments for universities that verify academic documents quickly.
- Universities completing verification within 24 hours will receive Rs. 500 per document.
- The incentive falls to Rs. 300 within 48 hours and Rs. 100 within 72 hours or later.
- The new system supports fully online applications and digitally verifiable e-attestation certificates.
- The notification does not mention penalties for universities that delay verification.
Why HEC Is Paying Universities for Faster Checks
The Higher Education Commission has introduced a new financial incentive package for universities as part of its online degree attestation system. The purpose is simple: universities that verify documents faster will be rewarded. This is an important step because slow verification has long been one of the biggest reasons behind delays in degree attestation for students, job seekers, and overseas applicants.
According to the new arrangement, universities that complete academic document verification within 24 hours will receive Rs. 500 per document from HEC. If the verification is completed within 48 hours, the university will receive Rs. 300 per document. For verification completed within 72 hours or later, the payment will drop to Rs. 100 per document. This tiered payment system is clearly designed to push institutions toward quicker action.
What the New Payment Structure Means
The new payment model links university performance directly with the speed of verification. In the past, applicants often had to wait while their documents moved between HEC and the relevant university. In many cases, students could not control the delay because the final confirmation depended on how quickly the university responded.
By offering a higher payment for faster verification, HEC is trying to create a practical reason for universities to prioritize these requests. A 24-hour verification window can make a major difference for applicants who need attested degrees for jobs, scholarships, immigration, foreign admissions, professional licensing, or visa-related documentation.
How the Online Attestation System Works
HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar said the new system has been introduced to make the attestation process fully digital, transparent, secure, and easier for applicants. Under the revised process, applicants can submit attestation requests online instead of visiting HEC offices or sending original academic documents through courier services.
This is a major change for students living outside major cities. Earlier, many applicants had to arrange travel, photocopies, courier services, and sometimes extra university verification steps before completing attestation. The online system aims to reduce these costs and make the process easier to track. Digital e-attestation certificates will also be issued and verified online, reducing the need for paper-based handling.
Why Faster Verification Matters for Applicants
Degree attestation is not just a routine paperwork requirement. For many people, it is directly linked to career and education opportunities. A delay of even a few days can create problems when a person is applying for a foreign university, submitting documents for a job abroad, completing an employment contract, or meeting a visa deadline.
For Pakistani students and professionals, faster online verification can improve confidence in the system. It can also reduce the pressure on HEC offices because more of the work will move into a digital workflow. If universities respond within the intended timelines, applicants may experience a smoother process with fewer physical visits and less uncertainty.
No Clear Penalty for Delays Yet
One important point is that the HEC notification does not specify any penalty or disciplinary action against universities that fail to verify documents within the required timeframe. This means the current system appears to be based mainly on incentives rather than punishment. Universities can earn more for faster work, but the available details do not show what will happen if an institution repeatedly causes delays.
The success of the new system will therefore depend on monitoring, transparency, and proper coordination between HEC and universities. If verification timelines are tracked clearly and universities are encouraged to improve their response time, the incentive model could make degree attestation faster and more applicant-friendly. However, if delays continue without accountability, students may still face the same practical problems despite the new digital system.
