Senate orders probe into NAVTTC funds, sets up fake degree verification desk

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training convened a rigorous session under the chairmanship of Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. The committee’s agenda included investigating alleged financial irregularities in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and addressing concerns about fake degrees, while also nullifying a controversial meeting held at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD).

Senator Anjum Butt directed the establishment of a permanent help desk at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to verify academic degrees. She emphasized that students should not be subjected to institutional negligence and compiled exact data on unverified institutions and fake degrees, stressing their importance.

The committee also received an update from NAVTTC officials regarding its operations over the past five years. Officials informed them that 71,000 students were trained in 2025, with significant numbers of enrollments coming from Balochistan (6,200) and Punjab (43,000). However, a student representative from South Punjab disputed this figure, alleging only Rs1,500 per student was provided for training. After hearing both sides, the committee formed a subcommittee led by Senator Kamran Murtaza to investigate allegations of embezzlement within NAVTTC programs and determine involved institutions.

In separate developments, the committee declared a controversial meeting held at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) as null and void. The decision was based on findings that the meeting violated prescribed rules and lacked approval from the Presidency. Senator Anjum Butt questioned the tenure of PIFD’s vice chancellor, raising concerns about her continued role despite an inquiry already underway.

The committee ruled the vice chancellor retired and emphasized no post or authority should be granted until the inquiry concluded. They also criticized the minister for appointing Tayyaba as interim vice chancellor without following proper protocols, including attempts to facilitate the sister of a controversial figure. The committee referred this matter to the Privilege Committee for further examination.

Additional concerns were raised about the opening of a hostel just six months before the vice chancellor’s retirement. This decision was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance to determine whether it exceeded lawful authority. Senator Anjum Butt underscored that these measures aimed at ending practices where public institutions are run as private enterprises, and her committee’s mandate extended beyond agenda discussions to ensuring follow-up, implementation, transparency, and accountability.

The committee’s actions were not directed against individuals but aimed at reforming the system of higher education management in Pakistan.