ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed dissatisfaction with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for delaying the attestation of a former student’s degree on purported grounds.
The President directed HEC to promptly attest the degree within 7 days, in compliance with the orders of the Wafaqi Mohtasib, and initiate an inquiry against the official responsible for the undue delay.
The President’s directive came in response to the rejection of HEC’s representation filed against a decision by the Wafaqi Mohtasib, who had instructed the HEC to attest a female student’s BA degree within the specified timeframe.
Savera Afridi, the complainant, had sought HEC’s attestation for her BA degree and DMC. However, she was informed that her 2020 degree session could not be attested due to the discontinuation of the two-year conventional B.A/B.Sc. program after the academic year 2019.
Dissatisfied with this response, Savera approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib, who ruled in her favor. HEC filed a representation and a review petition, both of which were rejected. Subsequently, HEC filed a representation against the Mohtasib’s orders with the President.
Upon a personal hearing, the President dismissed HEC’s representation. He highlighted that the University of Peshawar had admitted Savera for the 2019-2020 session, as evidenced by a letter dated 01.09.2022.
The President emphasized that since the complainant had been admitted for the 2019-2020 session, she should not be penalized for any potential violation of HEC policy by the university.
The President agreed with the Wafaqi Mohtasib’s observation that HEC, as a regulator, must ensure the implementation of its decisions by universities.
Expressing regret over HEC’s failure to take action against the university, the President emphasized that students should not suffer due to the inaction of regulatory bodies. He called on HEC to censure universities that deviate from its guidelines or instructions, ensuring that students are not adversely affected by regulatory lapses.
