In a decisive move, the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has declared a recent meeting at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) null and void, citing malafide intent, procedural violations, and lack of approval from the Presidency.
Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt criticized the Vice Chancellor’s actions, questioning how an official under investigation for overstepping legal boundaries and serving beyond her prescribed tenure could continue in office.
The committee raised concerns over alleged attempts to treat the Vice Chancellor position as a familial inheritance, including efforts to appoint her sister as successor. Senator Butt declared the Vice Chancellor retired and described the meeting as conducted with ill intent, stating, “This conduct ridicules the sanctity of this House.” She emphasized that no post should be granted until the ongoing inquiry is resolved.
The Committee also questioned the Vice Chancellor’s repeated absence from prior meetings and referred the matter to the Privilege Committee. Additional scrutiny was directed at the recent opening of a hostel just months before her retirement, with the matter referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance for further review.
Senator Butt stressed that the Committee’s actions were aimed at preventing public institutions from being run like private enterprises and warned future Vice Chancellors against abusing authority. She announced plans for provincial visits to universities to assess compliance with rules and regulations.
Highlighting ongoing challenges, she revealed that the Secretary of the Ministry of Education had denied permission for a Committee visit to Urdu University Lahore, citing financial concerns. The Committee had intended to investigate reports of unpaid pensions leading to employee suicides and resolved to conduct town halls to gather comprehensive information.
Addressing the issue of fake degrees, Senator Butt confirmed that a permanent help desk would be established at the Higher Education Commission for degree verification, aiming to prevent institutional negligence from affecting students.
The Committee also reviewed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), where concerns were raised regarding resource allocation. Despite an annual budget of Rs7 billion for training courses, a student representative from South Punjab highlighted that only Rs1,500 per student was allocated. In response, the Committee formed a subcommittee to investigate potential mismanagement and embezzlement.
The Senate Committee underscored the need for transparency and accountability in public institutions, emphasizing efficient use of resources and adherence to rules. Its ongoing oversight seeks to ensure that educational institutions operate lawfully and responsibly.
