Cambridge Under Fire in Pakistan

Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: The National Assembly’s education committee has moved to tighten oversight of private universities, calling for greater transparency over ownership, funding and academic standards amid concerns that commercial interests are increasingly influencing higher education.
The issue surfaced during a review of six private university bills on Monday, when lawmakers shifted the discussion beyond individual proposals to examine weaknesses in the broader approval system.
The committee expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the sponsors and financial backers of some proposed institutions. Members questioned whether certain university bills were being advanced on behalf of undisclosed investors rather than through transparent educational initiatives.
Committee Chairman Dr Azim Uddin Zahid Lakhvi said commercial interests appeared to be taking precedence over educational objectives in some cases.
Seeking to close the perceived loopholes, the committee agreed that future private university bills should carry a standardised ownership disclosure document. The proposed disclosure would identify members of the Board of Governors or Directors, explain the institution’s legal structure — including whether it is established as a trust, NGO or SECP-registered company — and provide details of its financial backing.
The committee also reviewed the existing approval mechanism involving the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Law Ministry, the Federal Cabinet in certain cases and Parliament.
The HEC told lawmakers that parliamentary approval of a university bill does not automatically mean the institution can begin operating. A final NOC is issued only after the commission inspects the university’s academic facilities, including faculty, laboratories and libraries, to determine whether required standards have been met.
The discussion also highlighted concerns over the expansion of universities without adequate investment in the country’s earlier stages of education. Some lawmakers argued that improving primary and secondary education should remain a priority before expanding the number of higher education institutions.
Others supported private-sector involvement in higher education but stressed that it must operate within clearly defined regulatory and academic standards.
The committee also rejected a proposal by the Federal Directorate of Education to introduce the Cambridge system in selected public colleges. Lawmakers argued that national education boards should instead be strengthened and brought closer to international standards rather than relying on foreign examination systems.
No university bill was approved during the meeting. However, the proceedings signalled a tougher approach by the parliamentary education panel, with lawmakers indicating that future university proposals would face closer scrutiny over ownership, financial transparency and academic viability.