Islamabad, February 11, 2026: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, declared a recent meeting held at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) null and void, terming it contrary to prescribed rules, conducted without presidential approval, and allegedly driven by malafide intent.
During a briefing by the Higher Education Commission, the chair raised serious concerns about the conduct of the Vice Chancellor, against whom an inquiry is already underway for allegedly operating beyond institutional rules and remaining in office for over 25 years. Senator Butt questioned how the official could continue to function and reportedly attempt to treat the position as an inherited right, including alleged plans to facilitate the appointment of her sister as Vice Chancellor.
Stating that no post should be held until the inquiry is cleared, the committee declared the meeting malafide and referred the Vice Chancellor’s absence from a previous session to the Privilege Committee for an explanation. “The Vice Chancellor who is going above the rules is not bigger than the system,” Senator Butt remarked.
The committee also questioned the opening of a hostel with only six months remaining before the Vice Chancellor’s retirement and referred the matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance to determine whether the action exceeded lawful authority.
Senator Butt emphasized that the committee’s actions were not directed at any individual but aimed at preventing public institutions from being run as private entities. She added that the committee’s stance would set a precedent for vice chancellors to avoid misuse of authority and adhere to institutional frameworks.
As part of future oversight, the chair announced provincial visits to universities to assess compliance with regulations. She also informed members that the Secretary Ministry of Education had declined the committee’s planned visit to Urdu University Lahore, citing cost-saving measures. However, Senator Butt stressed the necessity of the visit, particularly amid reports that employees facing unpaid pensions had resorted to extreme measures. The committee decided to hold town halls to gain a broader understanding of university affairs rather than relying solely on briefings from chancellors.
The names of Muhammad Raza Chohan and Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi were later removed from the matter after it was clarified that the issue arose from a misunderstanding regarding alleged remarks.
Highlighting the committee’s broader mandate, Senator Butt said its role extends beyond agenda items to ensuring follow-up and implementation of decisions.
Addressing concerns over fake degrees, she announced the establishment of a permanent help desk at the Higher Education Commission for assessment and verification. “Students will not pay for our negligence. We will collect exact data on fake degrees and ensure that students receive their due rights,” she said, with the secretary assuring immediate implementation.
Review of NAVTTC performance
The committee also reviewed the functioning, transparency, financial management, selection criteria, third-party evaluation mechanisms, and performance outcomes of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) over the past five years, on an agenda moved by Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan.
NAVTTC officials informed the panel that 71,000 students were trained in 2025, including 6,200 from Balochistan and 43,000 from Punjab, with no fixed quota for South Punjab. The commission’s annual budget stands at Rs7 billion, with average training costs ranging between Rs80,000 and Rs140,000 per student. Funds are disbursed directly to institutions through joint accounts established after steering committee approval.
However, a student representative from South Punjab claimed that only Rs1,500 per student was being provided for training courses. After hearing both sides, the chair constituted a sub-committee headed by Senator Kamran Murtaza to investigate the allegation, identify institutions potentially involved in embezzlement, and determine responsibility.
Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Khalida Ateeb, Kamran Murtaza, Shahadat Awan, and Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan attended the meeting, which deliberated on key issues related to higher education governance, transparency, financial management, and institutional accountability.
