Sindh PAC Orders Universities to Verify Staff Degrees. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has taken a major step toward improving transparency and accountability in the higher education sector. The committee has directed all public universities across the province to verify the educational degrees of their employees through the Higher Education Commission (HEC) within three months.
This strict order comes after shocking revelations of multiple fake degrees uncovered at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), one of Sindh leading medical institutions.
Why PAC Issued the Degree Verification Order
The matter came to light during PAC’s review of DUHS audit reports for 2021–2023. The committee was informed that:
- 10 employees at DUHS were hired with fake degrees.
- Out of 3,500 employees, only 450 had undergone HEC degree verification.
- A large number of contractual employees were recruited without academic or background verification.
These findings raised serious concerns about the recruitment process and the potential risks of allowing individuals with unverified qualifications to work in critical roles—especially within healthcare and education institutions.
Audit Findings Show Major Gaps in DUHS Hiring Process
Audit officials told the committee that:
- Many employees were appointed on contract without checking their academic credentials.
- DUHS spends Rs 2.33 billion annually on employee salaries—highlighting the financial risk of hiring unqualified staff.
- Despite the audit department raising the issue in June last year, DUHS did not provide a formal response.
The committee expressed disappointment over the lack of timely action and demanded stricter compliance from all universities.
Why Degree Verification Is Necessary in Public Universities
The PAC emphasized that proper verification:
- Prevents hiring individuals with fake or forged qualifications
- Improves the credibility of public education institutions
- Ensures that government funds are spent on qualified and deserving professionals
- Helps maintain international academic standards
Given the sensitive nature of academic and healthcare roles, the presence of unqualified individuals poses serious risks to both students and patients.
DUHS Response: Outsourcing Degree Verification
DUHS informed the PAC that the university had attempted to initiate the verification process by:
- Issuing three official tenders for degree verification
- However, no vendor submitted bids
- As a result, DUHS directly contracted HRSG Outsourcing Company to complete the verification task
According to DUHS management, the outsourced team has already begun verifying employee degrees, and progress is underway.
Action Taken Against Employees With Fake Degrees
DUHS Vice Chancellor Dr. Nazli Hussain provided further updates:
- 8 out of the 10 employees with fake degrees have already been terminated
- The remaining 2 employees have been issued show-cause notices
- Both are expected to be terminated soon, pending final review
She also shared that the university hired 3,023 employees on contract from July 2021 to June 2025, and only 54 employees were regularised during this period.
PAC Instructions to All Sindh Universities
The PAC has now directed every public university in Sindh to:
- Complete degree verification of all employees within three months
- Submit compliance reports to ensure transparency
- Strengthen recruitment procedures to prevent fake credentials in the future
This province-wide order aims to create a clean and reliable employment system within the education sector.
Impact on Future Hiring in Sindh Universities
This move is expected to bring major changes in hiring policies:
Mandatory HEC Verification Before Appointment
Universities will now be required to verify academic records before issuing appointment letters.
Improved Screening of Contractual Staff
The hiring of contractual employees has been the biggest loophole; the new rules will tighten this process.
Better Use of Public Funds
By preventing the recruitment of unqualified individuals, institutions can ensure proper use of government salary budgets.
Increased Trust in Education Sector
Stronger verification measures will help restore confidence among students, parents, and regulatory bodies.
Conclusion
The Sindh PAC’s order to verify staff degrees marks an important turning point for higher education governance in the province. With fake degree cases exposed at DUHS, the directive aims to protect academic integrity, enhance accountability, and ensure that only qualified individuals serve in public universities. If implemented properly, this province-wide verification drive will strengthen recruitment systems and improve the quality of education across Sindh.
