PAC Orders Degree Verification Across Sindh Universities
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has issued a directive mandating all public universities in the province to verify the educational degrees of their employees. This measure aims to ensure the integrity of academic qualifications within higher education.
The Directive’s Origin
SindhNews.com reports, the order came after revelations of fake degrees among employees at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS). The PAC was reviewing audit reports from 2021 to 2023. These reports brought to light irregularities in degree verification processes.
Details of the Order
The committee has given a three-month deadline for universities to complete this verification process through the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The issue of unverified degrees was also highlighted in contractual employees’ files. The audit reports indicated that appointing those staff without proper verification was irregular.
DUHS Action and Findings
At DUHS, out of 3,500 employees, only 450 had their degrees verified by the HEC. The university has taken action, removing eight employees with fake degrees and issuing show-cause notices to the remaining two. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Nazli Hussain, reported that many contractual staff had their services regularized between 2021 and 2025.
Impact and Conclusion
The PAC’s directive is a significant step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in Sindh’s universities. This proactive measure aims to protect against fraudulent practices and maintain the credibility of educational institutions. The verification process, though demanding, is essential to upholding academic standards across the region.
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Ensuring Integrity: PAC Orders Degree Verification Across Sindh Universities
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has mandated that all public universities in Sindh verify the educational degrees of their staff. This decision aims to ensure the integrity of the institutions and address concerns regarding the qualifications of employees. SindhNews.com
Prompting Verification
The directive came after revelations that several employees at the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) were found to have been hired with fraudulent degrees. The PAC’s examination of DUHS audit papers highlighted the need for more stringent verification processes.
Scrutinizing DUHS Operations
During the review of audit reports from 2021 to 2023, the PAC discovered that only a fraction of DUHS staff had proper degree verification. Out of 3,500 employees, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had verified the credentials of only 450. The audit department flagged concerns about the appointment of contractual employees without proper verification.
Addressing Irregularities and Costs
The audit report also pointed out that the lack of degree verification raised concerns about the authenticity of qualifications. It was noted that a considerable amount – Rs2.33 billion – is allocated annually for employee salaries. The DUHS management mentioned that they had attempted to invite bids for degree verification multiple times. SindhNews.com
Moving Forward
DUHS has engaged HRSG Outsourcing Company for degree verification, and some results have already been observed. The Vice Chancellor, Dr. Nazli Hussain, reported that those with bogus degrees faced termination.
Conclusion
The PAC’s order signifies a crucial step in maintaining the credibility of educational institutions in Sindh. By mandating degree verification, the committee aims to prevent future instances of fraudulent qualifications and ensure that all university staff meet the required standards.