Aftab Anwar Baloch

Introduction

In Pakistan, the issue of fake degrees has plagued the educational landscape for decades, posing significant challenges to the integrity of academic qualifications and the credibility of educational institutions. The prevalence of counterfeit degrees not only undermines trust in the education system but also compromises the credibility of individuals holding such qualifications.

  1. Historical Context

Fake degrees in Pakistan have been a significant issue for decades, fueled by diploma mills and unaccredited institutions. This has led to sophisticated forgery techniques and corruption, damaging educational institutions and public trust.

  1. Legal Framework

Pakistan has enacted various laws and regulations to address the issue of fake degrees and ensure the authenticity of educational credentials. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan plays a central role in regulating higher education and combating academic fraud.

  1. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Act of 2002

The 2002 HEC Act established the Higher Education Commission as Pakistan’s primary regulatory body for higher education, verifying the authenticity of degrees and certificates issued by educational institutions.

  1. Penal Code of Pakistan (PPC)                            

The Penal Code addresses forgery, fraud, and other offences related to fake degrees, prosecuting individuals involved in their production or use.

  1. The Degree Verification System

The HEC has launched a Degree Verification System (DVS) to verify the authenticity of academic credentials issued by recognised Pakistani universities and institutions.

  1. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016

The PECA Act addresses cybercrimes like digital forgery and fraud, allowing Law Enforcement Agencies to prosecute individuals or entities involved in fake degree creation, distribution, or sale.

  1. Regulations for Accreditation and Quality Assurance

The HEC has enacted various rules, regulations, and criteria for accrediting universities that meet specified standards of quality and academic excellence, ensuring that degrees and certificates issued by accredited institutions are genuine and well recognised.

  1. Judicial Precedents

Court rulings and judicial decisions also play a significant role in shaping the legal framework related to fake degrees in Pakistan.

Strengthening the legal framework, enhancing collaboration between regulatory bodies, law enforcement, and educational institutions is crucial for combating academic fraud in Pakistan, Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives can also help raise awareness about the consequences of fake degrees and promote ethical practices in the education sector.

  1. Case Studies                

These incidents highlight the persistent problem of fake degrees in Pakistan:

Pakistan’s Supreme Court struck down the degree requirement in April 2008 to improve the caliber of MPs. 02 years on, the verification of degrees started in 2010 after reports about several fake degree holders in the national and provincial assemblies surfaced. Authorities after an investigation found dozens of politicians have fake university degrees. The scandal was a bitter blow to Pakistan.

In 2015, a Pakistani software company named AXACT was found involved in operating a vast network of fake online universities selling degrees to unscrupulous individuals worldwide.

In December 2018, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority informed the Supreme Court that the academic credentials of seven pilots of Pakistan International Airlines had been found fake. Five of them had not even passed their matriculation examination. It was further revealed that the degrees of 16 pilots and 65 cabin crews of various airlines turned out to be forged during the verification process.

In December 2020, a committee probing fake degree cases in the Punjab University (PU) found 15 LLB degrees of Punjab Bar Council members fake/bogus.

In 2022 elections, Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region Chief Minister submitted a fake University of London degree which was not verified by the issuing authority, leading to his removal from post and five-year ineligibility for public office under Articles 62 and 63 of Pakistan’s constitution.

The Government of Pakistan and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) have adopted the following measures so far to address the issue of fake degrees in the country:

  1. A total of 154 fake degree awarding institutions have been closed down by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) since its establishment in 2002, HEC has been working in close cooperation with all provincial governments to check mushrooming growth of fake/illegal degree awarding institutions.
  2. The HEC has developed databases of recognised universities and degree programs to facilitate the verification of academic credentials. This allows employers and other stakeholders to verify the authenticity of degrees online.
  3. The government has enacted legislation and regulations to curb the proliferation of fake degrees, including stricter penalties for individuals and institutions involved in the production and sale of fake credentials.

The repercussions of the scandal continued to reverberate and underscored the importance of vigilance and accountability in preventing and combating academic fraud and upholding the credibility of educational institutions.

  1. Technology Solutions

Blockchain-based and biometric authentication systems are enhancing the security of academic records, reducing the risk of forgery and identity theft.

  1. Institutional Challenges

In Pakistan, educational institutions are grappling with inadequate infrastructure and limited resources, hindering the implementation of robust verification mechanisms in verifying the authenticity of academic credentials.

  1. International Perspectives

Comparative analysis reveals that Pakistan’s approach to fake degree identification and authentication lags behind that of many developed countries. Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have implemented stringent measures, including centralised databases and accreditation systems, to combat academic fraud effectively.

  1. Social Implications

Pakistan can combat academic fraud by implementing regulatory reforms, enforcing laws, promoting transparency, and investing in education to foster trust, meritocracy, and social equity.

Solution & Conclusion

Addressing the issue of fake degrees in Pakistan requires a multi-pronged approach that encompasses legal reforms, technological innovations, institutional capacity building, and public awareness campaigns.

Implementing comprehensive solutions can combat fake degrees, protect academic integrity, restore public trust, and foster a culture of honesty, transparency, and fairness in Pakistan’s education system.

In the end, these actions seek to preserve the interests of students, businesses, and society at large by fortifying the integrity of Pakistan’s educational system and preserving the validity of academic degrees.

The writer is Customs, Tariff and Trade Expert.

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