Committee Flags Delays and High Costs for Students
The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances has called on the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to reduce delays and simplify procedures in its degree attestation system. During a meeting held under the chairpersonship of MNA Nuzhat Sadiq, members reviewed an implementation report on assurances earlier given by the minister for education on the floor of the House.
Lawmakers noted that students and graduates often face long waiting times from the moment they submit their degree attestation applications to the point when the process is completed. They observed that the current system is complicated and places an unnecessary financial burden on applicants, many of whom are already dealing with high education and living costs.
HEC Plans Blockchain-Based Attestation System
In response to the concerns, the HEC chairman briefed the committee on ongoing digital transformation efforts. He explained that a comprehensive, robust and secure blockchain-based system is being developed to handle degree verification and attestation in a more efficient and transparent manner.
According to HEC, the new system is expected to be operational before June 30, 2026. In its first phase, it will connect HEC with 25 universities and the Attestation Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By linking universities and foreign affairs authorities in a single digital network, HEC hopes to cut down on duplication, reduce manual verification steps and minimise the risk of forged or tampered documents.
Committee members welcomed the move towards digitalisation but stressed that timelines must be respected and that the system should be user-friendly for students, especially those from remote areas or low-income backgrounds who might have limited access to technology.
Call for Joint Briefing on Degree Attestation Process
To get a clearer picture of the existing challenges and proposed reforms, the committee asked for a joint presentation by HEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the degree attestation process. This briefing is expected to cover current procedures, the points at which delays typically occur and how the new blockchain-based platform will change the workflow for students and overseas missions.
Members of the committee underlined that degree attestation is often a critical requirement for higher studies abroad, foreign employment and professional licensing. Any long delays or unclear requirements can cause students to miss admission deadlines, lose job offers or face extra costs in the form of repeated applications and travel to attestation offices.
Inclusion of New Professional Degrees in Fee Reimbursement
Beyond attestation timelines, the committee also examined the issue of newly introduced professional degrees being left out of the Federal Employees Benevolent Fund fee reimbursement scheme. These programmes include specialised fields such as business data analysis and other emerging disciplines that are recognised by HEC and relevant accreditation councils.
Committee members argued that excluding such degrees from reimbursement is unfair to students who choose modern, high-demand fields. They directed the Establishment Division to revise its rules so that all professional degrees recognised by HEC and accredited bodies are covered under the scheme.
In response, the secretary of the Establishment Division assured the committee that the rules would be amended to include these newly introduced professional programmes. Once implemented, this change should ease financial pressure on many students from government employee families who are pursuing cutting-edge academic fields.
What Reforms Could Mean for Students and Graduates
If carried through as promised, the reforms discussed at the committee meeting could have a significant impact on students and graduates in Pakistan. A faster, digital and more transparent degree attestation system would make it easier for young people to apply for foreign scholarships, overseas jobs and international professional exams without facing repeated delays.
At the same time, expanding the fee reimbursement scheme to cover new professional degrees would send a positive signal that the state is willing to support students who choose innovative and market-relevant programmes. Together, these steps could help reduce some of the financial and procedural barriers that currently stand between Pakistani students and their academic or professional goals, both at home and abroad.
