- The matter was referred to the Privileges and Senate Finance Committees for investigation.
- Provincial university visits and town halls announced to ensure compliance.
- Fake degree concerns addressed; fixed verification counter at HEC soon.
The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has declared the recent meeting of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) invalid, calling it conducted with malicious intent, against prescribed rules and without the President’s approval.
The committee, headed by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, took serious note of the matter.
“The vice-chancellor going above the rules is not bigger than the system,” Senator Butt said, questioning the continued function of a vice-chancellor under investigation for alleged breaches of the rules.
She also raised concerns over reports that the vice-chancellor was trying to treat her position as an inherited right and facilitate her sister’s appointment.
The committee has declared her retired and referred her absence from previous meetings to the Privileges Committee.
Senator Butt further questioned the opening of a hostel with only six months left in the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure and referred the matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance to investigate whether the action exceeded legal authority.
“These actions are not against a particular person, but against the norms of owning public institutions as a private enterprise,” she said, stressing that the committee’s stance would set an example for future vice-chancellors.
She announced provincial visits to universities to ensure institutions are complying with the rules and confirmed town halls will be held to gain a broader understanding beyond the chancellors’ reports.
On fake degree concerns, she said: “Students will not pay for our negligence. We will collect accurate data on unverified institutions and ensure students get their due rights.”
A permanent help desk will be set up immediately at the Education Commission.
The committee also reviewed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and found that 71,000 students were trained by 2025 with an annual budget of Rs 7 billion.
Controversies raised by a student from southern Punjab regarding educational allocations prompted the Speaker to form a sub-committee, headed by Senator Kamran Murtaza, to investigate potential embezzlement and hold responsible parties accountable.
