Fake degree holders have their hands on HEC's throat

After all the stubborn resilience HEC showed in fake degree verification process, now the fake degree holder parliamentarians are trying to settle the score and they have their hands on HEC's throat. This is an impending disaster looming in front of us. What has been decided by the cabinet (on the recommendation of a parliamentary committee on devolution headed by Raza Rabbani) is to tear higher education to shreds and hand over the pieces to the provinces, so that no once can challenge the eligibility of fake degree holders and they can continue the loot and plunder of this nation.

But What has not been realized by our policymakers is that the process of socio-economic development takes place through central strategic planning, which is intimately connected to a country’s higher education and science and technology programs. A multiplicity of standards and regulations would be disastrous. That is why the world over, including in India, higher education planning and funding is done centrally, even though universities are located in the provinces.

The situation and the politician's response to it -- is complex, with many different actors and agendas, and the future of a post-HEC Pakistan remains unclear. While this complexity must dictate the care we take in our actions, for the sake of tens of thousands of students obtaining higher education and for the future of our beloved country, it cannot, it must not, render us inactive. Let's make the best choice we can, and act, now.