Senate committee voids PIFD meeting, cites rule breaches and intent

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has declared a recent meeting of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) null and void, stating it was held with malicious intent, in violation of prescribed rules, and without the President’s approval.

The committee, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, took up the issue and voiced strong criticism of what it described as actions taken outside established procedures. The chair questioned the continuation of a vice chancellor’s role amid alleged rule violations and raised concerns about reported attempts to treat the position as an inherited entitlement, including facilitating a relative’s appointment.

The matter was referred to relevant Senate bodies for further scrutiny, including committees examining privileges and financial authority. The chair also questioned decisions taken late in an official’s tenure, and stressed that public institutions should not be run as personal enterprises.

To strengthen oversight, the committee announced plans for visits to provincial universities and public town halls aimed at assessing compliance beyond formal reports. Separately, in response to concerns about fake degrees, the committee said a permanent help desk would be established at the Higher Education Commission to address verification issues.

The committee also reviewed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission’s operations and said a sub-committee would look into complaints about training allocations after allegations raised by a student from South Punjab.