PhD Scholars Accuse AIOU of Violating HEC Rules

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: A serious academic scandal has emerged at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), with PhD scholars accusing the administration of illegally enrolling them in violation of national regulations, leaving their degrees at risk and their careers in jeopardy.

Formal complaints submitted to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Prime Minister’s grievance authorities allege that at least ten students admitted to the PhD Urdu program in the August 2023 session did not meet mandatory eligibility criteria. 

After nearly three years of coursework and research, the students claim they were verbally informed that their degrees may not be recognized by HEC, effectively rendering their academic work invalid.

At the center of the controversy is an alleged violation of the HEC PhD Policy 2021, which requires a minimum CGPA of 3.0 or First Division in the most recent degree for admission to any PhD program.

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Documents attached to the complaints show multiple candidates were admitted with “B Grade” or Second Division results, with percentages ranging from 61 to 69 percent. The affected students include Ubaid Rehman (69%), Anees ul Hassnain (65%), Ahmed Saeed (65%), Tanveer Ahmad (65%), Nadia Bashir (64%), Shamsher (64%), Shahid Aslam (64%), Sajid Abbas (64%), Yasir Iqbal (62%), and Farzand Ali (61%).

The scholars allege that their academic records were fully available at the time of admission and that the university accepted their fees, issued enrolments, allowed them to complete coursework, and assigned supervisors, only to later disown responsibility. 

They describe severe financial and psychological distress, stating that many left jobs, exhausted family savings, and took loans to pursue the degree.

The complaints also raise allegations of intimidation and abuse. The former head of the Urdu Department, now serving as dean, is accused of approving the admissions and later using his authority to suppress objections. 

Students claim they faced verbal abuse, humiliation, and warnings that raising concerns would result in failed evaluations, altered supervision, or obstruction of their research progress.

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Further allegations point to nepotism within the department, with current leadership reportedly having close family ties to senior administration, creating a closed power structure with no internal accountability.

 Students argue that this pattern of negligence is not new, citing a 2017 case in which a PhD candidate admitted below the CGPA threshold was later denied degree authentication by HEC.

In their appeal to federal authorities, the affected scholars have demanded an independent inquiry, protection against academic victimization, and a clear decision on whether their admissions will be regularized or their degrees formally recognized by HEC.

 They have warned that failure to act will leave them no choice but to seek judicial intervention and approach accountability bodies.