Press Release Title: Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House, Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 29th August, 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, met to discuss a wide range of agenda items pertaining to the education sector.   The meeting was attended by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Senator Falak Naz, Senator Fawzia Arshad, Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator Rahat Jamali, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Gurdeep Singh, mover of the Bill Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, minister of Law & Justice,  Senator Umer Farooq, Senator Hidayatullah  and Senior officials from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).   The Committee took up the Government Bill titled “The Daanish Schools Authority Bill, 2025”, introduced by Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on behalf of Minister of Federal Education. It was highlighted that the legislation aims at the welfare of school children who are underprivileged.  Earlier the project was confined to Punjab, Daanish Schools is established across all provinces as fully funded institutions, ensuring quality education and equal opportunities for underprivileged students. After detailed deliberations, the Committee unanimously passed the Bill.   Further discussion was held on the Private Member’s Bill titled “The Fatima University of Sciences and Technology Bill, 2025”, introduced by Senator Hidayatullah Khan on his behalf and on behalf of Senator Umer Farooq. Senator Umer Farooq, Mover of the agenda explained that the Bill was moved due to the lack of specialized universities. The Ministry clarified that under the 18th Amendment, the establishment of universities out of ICT jurisdiction falls under the domain of provinces, while the Ministry’s mandate is to issue charter within ICT domains. Although the Chairperson suggested that regarding the bill, the all required codal formalities and regulations be taken into consideration, hence the Bill was unanimously passed by the Committee Members through majority vote.   The Committee also reviewed the status of students’ degree attestation issues. Members were apprised of a case where an employee with 21 years of service was found to have bogus credentials, which was also challenged in court. After deliberations, the Chairperson directed the HEC and Secretary Ministry of Federal Education to establish a Help Desk to address such individual cases as well. A comprehensive report on attestation will be presented to the Committee in its next meeting.   A detailed briefing was given on the up-gradation and regularization of employees of the Pakistan Madrasah Education Board (PMEB). The Committee was apprised that, following the winding-up of the PMEB, the permanent employees have demanded up-gradation of their posts, whereas the contractual employees have sought regularization of their services. It was further informed that the matter had been taken to court, which directed that the contractual employees be adjusted in other departments. In compliance with these directions, a summary has already been forwarded to the Prime Minister for approval. The Committee strongly recommended that all contractual employees be accommodated on humanitarian grounds so that their future and livelihood may be safeguarded against any adverse outcome.   The Committee was further briefed by the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Ambassador. It was informed that IPO was established in 2005 as an autonomous body, working under the Cabinet Division for the unification and administration of IP laws, registration of IP rights, policy advice to the Government, international coordination, and promotion of IP education, research, and awareness. Appreciating the proposals shared, the Chairperson recommended that the Ministry must hold a meeting with the Ambassador for further deliberations and such information/knowledge be included into schools curriculum.    The Committee also discussed the Private Member’s Bill titled “The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025”, which seeks to include one member each from the Senate and the National Assembly in the 16-member Board of NAVTTC. The Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and ED NAVTTC stated that such inclusion is possible, subject to the recommendations of the Chairman Senate and the Speaker National Assembly. The Chairperson Committee directed that Members be included upon confirmation from both houses.     Raising another important concern, Senator Hidayatullah Khan highlighted the issue of rising private school fees, which are becoming unaffordable for the common man. The Chairperson directed that representatives of Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) be invited to the Committee in the next meeting for a detailed discussion on the matter.