ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has declared the recent meeting of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) null and void, terming it unlawful, conducted with malafide intent, and in violation of prescribed rules and procedures.
The committee, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, took serious notice of the issue and criticised the vice chancellor for allegedly acting above the law and without the required approval of the President.
“The vice chancellor who is going above the rules is not bigger than the system,” Senator Butt said, questioning how a vice chancellor facing an inquiry for alleged violations could continue to function.
She also expressed concern over reports that the vice chancellor was attempting to treat the position as an inherited right and was facilitating the appointment of her sister. The committee declared the vice chancellor retired and referred her absence from previous meetings to the Senate Privilege Committee.
The chair further questioned the opening of a hostel with only six months remaining in the vice chancellor’s tenure and referred the matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance to determine whether the decision exceeded lawful authority.
“These actions are not against any individual but against the culture of running public institutions like private businesses,” Senator Butt remarked, adding that the committee’s firm stance would serve as an example for future vice chancellors.
She announced that provincial visits to universities would be conducted to ensure compliance with rules and regulations, and that town hall meetings would be held to gather insights beyond reports submitted by chancellors.
On the issue of fake degrees and unverified institutions, Senator Butt said students would not be made to suffer due to institutional negligence. “We will collect exact data on unverified institutions and ensure students get their due rights,” she said, adding that a permanent verification help desk would be established at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) immediately.
The committee also reviewed the performance of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and was informed that 71,000 students were trained in 2025 with an annual budget of Rs7 billion.
Following discrepancies highlighted by a student from South Punjab regarding training allocations, the chair announced the formation of a sub-committee, led by Senator Kamran Murtaza, to investigate possible embezzlement and fix responsibility.
