The commission has refused accreditation and degree verification to any institution established in violation of policy guidelines.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has enforced a strict policy on the establishment of new universities and sub-campuses at the tehsil level, stating that no new institution can be set up without prior approval.
In a letter issued to vice-chancellors and heads of all universities, the HEC made it clear that no university or sub-campus will be established without prior permission and proper institutional scrutiny.
The letter stated that the commission will not issue NOCs, accreditation, or degree verification to any institution established in violation of the policy.
It also raised serious concerns over the shortage of PhD-qualified faculty, low student enrollment, and the limited range of academic programmes at tehsil-level campuses.
The higher education regulator has immediately suspended all pending applications for sub-campuses, while also imposing a complete ban on admissions and advertising in such institutions.
Furthermore, it warned that any violation of the policy could lead to cancellation of campus and programme approvals. All universities have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the new regulations.
Alongside these regulatory measures, the HEC is also planning to introduce a blockchain-based degree attestation system by June 30, developed in collaboration with CMPak and Wibbow Technologies, The News reported.
The new digital platform will allow students to submit and track degree verification requests online, replacing manual procedures with a more secure system.
By removing the need for physical visits and paperwork, the initiative aims to speed up processing times and make credential verification easier for graduates worldwide.
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