ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee was informed on Monday that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had shifted to a fully online and paperless degree attestation system from May 11.

Applicants who applied and paid attestation fees under the previous system would be processed through the old mechanism until June 30.

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training at a meeting chaired by Bushra Anjum Butt, besides other agenda items, discussed the issue of degree attestation.

Officials informed the committee that a completely online and paperless degree attestation system based on blockchain technology was also under development and the work order had been awarded to the successful bidder.

The officials said under the new mechanism, applicants can apply online through the HEC e-services portal, while e-attestation certificates can be downloaded and verified online. HEC will only attest original degrees under the new system and no photocopies of educational documents will be processed.

Meanwhile, the committee considered and unanimously passed all government bills referred by the Senate during its sitting held on May 8. The bills were moved by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Federal Education, and referred to the committee for consideration and report.

The committee endorsed the inclusion of uniform 33 per cent women representation across all federal boards, statutory bodies, public sector organisations, universities and allied committees through the proposed amendments.

The chairperson stated that women’s inclusion in decision-making forums was essential for institutional balance, transparency and progressive governance in the education sector.

She said the committee supports legislative reforms aimed at ensuring meaningful participation of women in national institutions.

The committee considered amendments to the National Rahmatul-Lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority Act, 2022. The amendments seek to replace the term ‘federal government’ with appropriate authorities in accordance with the directions of the federal cabinet and recommendations of the Cabinet Division. The committee also approved amendments to the Centre for Clinical Psychology Centres Act, 1983.

It was informed that there are currently two clinical psychology centres functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

These centres operate in affiliation with respective universities and focus on the study of languages, culture, social structure and literature of various regions of Pakistan.

The proposed amendments incorporate the mandatory 33 per cent women representation and administrative changes recommended by the Cabinet Division and vetted by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The committee passed the National Textile University Faisalabad (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to ensure representation of women in the senate and teaching faculty of the university. The committee also approved the Area Study Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to ensure women representation and replace outdated administrative terminology.

The committee also approved amendments to the NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology Multan Act, 2012.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2026