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: 6th October, 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, chaired by **Senator Bushra Anjum Butt*, convened a critical session at Parliament House to address pressing issues in Pakistan’s education sector, including unregulated university establishments, financial misappropriations, violation of merit, and fee exploitation by private institutions.   #### *Private Member’s Bill for University Under Fire*   The Committee held *further deliberations on the report of the Sub-Committee* concerning the Private Member's Bill titled “The University of Business, Sciences and Technology Bill, 2025”. The mover urged the Committee to pass the bill, assuring that land and funding prerequisites would be fulfilled prior to its presentation in the National Assembly.   However, the *Secretary of Education revealed that the bill's mover had not yet applied through the HEC*, raising legal and procedural concerns.   *Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt expressed strong reservations*, stating:   > “This Committee will not approve anything that compromises the future of students. Establishing a university without fulfilling legal and procedural prerequisites puts millions at risk. My tenure is short — how can I take ownership of an initiative with no concrete future plan?”   The matter was *deferred for further deliberation*.   The Committee also received a *detailed briefing by PIFD* regarding protests from *85 faculty/staff members* against *alleged illegal appointments* by the Vice-Chancellor and other officials — issues that gained widespread attention on media and social platforms.   A university representative claimed to be unaware of the protest videos but promised a detailed response in the next meeting.   Chairperson Senator Butt, who personally attended a university meeting, said:   > “Universities are not family businesses. The VC has become like a tyrant; operations are at a standstill. Harassment and illegal appointments will not be tolerated.”   She also sought records of *illegal appointments made in the last four years*.   ---   #### *Uncontrolled Fee Hikes in Private Schools*   Chairperson Butt condemned the unregulated *fee increases by private institutions*, noting:   > “According to the PIERA Fee Determination Policy, fee hikes must not exceed 5%, with a maximum of 8% for high-performing institutions. Schools demanding 50,000 rupees in unjustified fees must revise their challans immediately.”   The PIERA reiterated that the new policy also does not bound parents to buy books or uniforms from specific vendors and further assured that any violations will be dealt with per policy.   Butt also *demanded updated lists of private schools* that have raised fees up to *Rs. 50,000*, citing institutions like City School and The Roots International.   #### *Corruption and Dual Salary Allegations at PEIRA*   An explosive presentation by academic member *Imtiaz Qureshi* revealed serious irregularities at the *Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA). He alleged that **Ms. Zia Batool*, former Chairperson PEIRA, has:   * Continued to exercise administrative powers after resignation on *5 August 2025*, in violation of Ministry orders. * Withdrawn *salaries for August and September 2025, plus **self-sanctioned honoraria and inspection allowances, despite having joined **PSQCA* on the same date. * Drawn *dual salaries* from both PEIRA and PSQCA. * Allegedly *embezzled approximately Rs. 2 billion* from PEIRA during her tenure (October 2019 – August 2025). * Was found responsible for *Rs. 716 million* in financial and administrative irregularities during FY 2023-24, as flagged by audit authorities.   *Ms. Zia Batool denied all allegations*, stating she has not withdrawn a single penny outside of her entitlement.   Amid heightened tensions, *Imtiaz Qureshi claimed that an FIR was filed against him, threatening his life and family*. Ms. Batool denied any involvement.   The Chairperson observed:   > “These are serious allegations without proof. This conflict requires an impartial, third-party investigation. A meeting with Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan will be convened to resolve the matter.”       ---   #### *FUUAST Crisis: Salaries, Pensions Unpaid Despite Rs. 100 Million Grant*   The *Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology (FUUAST)* is facing a *crippling financial crisis, with **Rs. 1.246 billion in unpaid liabilities*, including:   * Salaries (July–Sept 2025): Rs. 184.093 million * Pensions (June–Sept 2025): Rs. 177.150 million * Commutation: Rs. 214.679 million * House rent ceiling (13 months): Rs. 370 million   HEC confirmed that despite stagnant federal funding, it extended *Rs. 1.1 billion* in FY 2024-25 and a 15% increase in FY 2025-26. A proposed *Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs. 800 million for FUUAST* was not approved by the ECC.   Chairperson Butt questioned:   > “How can pensioners survive without their rightful dues? Specially those belonging to Education. Budgetary allocations must address this. The Minister must appear in the next meeting with a permanent solution.”   ---   #### *HEC's Help Desk Performance and Unauthorized Universities*   The Committee examined HEC’s *attestation mechanism* and the *functioning of its Help Desk*, inquiring into the number of resolved cases and follow-up actions on non-legitimate institutions.   Chairperson Butt asserted:   > “Don’t ridicule the Senate Committee’s authority by showcasing a help desk without practical solutions.”   The Committee noted that *Preston Institute of Management, Science & Technology (PIMSAT), Karachi* had submitted *24,887 student records from unauthorized campuses. An **HEC verification visit* is scheduled for *October 10, 2025*.   The Committee also demanded a *functional and accessible website* to assist students in timely applications.   ---   #### *Climate Change Curriculum and Teacher Toolkit Introduced*   An introductory briefing was held on Pakistan's First Introductory Curriculum on Climate Change Education (grades 1 to 10) developed by Teachers' Resource Centre covering 5 core themes: 1) Environment and Climate Change Awareness 2) Ecosystem and Biodiversity 3) National Disasters and Climate Change 4) Sustainable Living 5) Environmental Justice and Equity The *Teachers' Resource Centre (TRC)* also submitted a lesson-planning-based toolkit, but it could not be notified due to procedural issues and the existence of similar content in the NCC framework.   It was briefed that the Curriculum was TRC's initiative  It was reviewed through independent committees notified by Bureaus of Curriculum (provincial) as well as NCC at the Federal Level   The matter was deferred for futher deliberation   The meeting was attended by Senator Ashraf Ali Jatoi, Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Senator Rahat Jamali, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Naseema Ehsan and Senator Abdul Shakoor Khan.