The National Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Public Accounts declined to give any direction on the issue of dual degree of 2300 students and suggested Higher Education Commission (HEC) and COMSAT Institute to resolve it on their own.
The committee headed by MNA Navid Qamar directed both the institutions to wait for the Islamabad High Court (IHC)’s decision on the matter.
The body said that PAC was mandated to review account related matters and the issue of degrees was not in its domain. The body, however, stressed the HEC and COMSAT to find a suitable way out to save students’ future.
Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar told the committee that HEC followed the directives of PAC, but the issue of COMSAT and Lancashire University was contrary to its rules.
Chairman HEC urged the Rector COMSAT for issuing degrees to students which are already verified by it so that they can apply for jobs.
Executive Director HEC Dr Arshad said that commission cannot allow a joint venture between the universities due to the difference of transcripts of the varsities.
Chairman HEC told the committee that they have offered three different options to COMSAT for resolving the issue, but they are forcing me to allow an illegal act of verifying degrees achieved from abroad without having NOCs from the HEC.
Rector of the university told the body that they have promised the students for issuing dual degrees as they will not accept one degree formula of the HEC.
He said that court has decided in the favour of the COMSAT, adding HEC will face a contempt of court by not giving permission.
The NA body also urged HEC to resolve the issue on permanent basis and to make a proper law approved by the National Assembly to protect the future of the students.
