Web Desk: Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) has rolled out a fully online and paperless degree attestation system, eliminating the need for students and graduates to visit offices or submit physical documents, officials said on Monday.
The move marks a major shift in the country’s credential verification process and is aimed at reducing delays, cutting costs and improving accessibility for applicants nationwide.
HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmed Akhtar announced the launch on social media platform X, saying the revamped Degree Attestation System (DAS) would allow applicants to complete the entire process remotely.
Under the new mechanism, users can submit applications around the clock through the HEC’s e-Services portal without mailing original certificates or appearing in person at HEC centres.
The commission said the updated system was designed to provide a secure and streamlined verification process while enabling online authentication of attested academic documents.
The initiative follows months of efforts by the commission to modernise its attestation framework. In December last year, HEC announced plans to integrate blockchain technology into the system as part of a broader digital transformation project expected to be completed within six months.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances had also urged the commission to speed up the attestation process and reduce waiting times for applicants.
According to details released by the HEC, applicants can now create accounts on the online portal, enter personal and academic information and upload transcripts and other required documents electronically.
The commission said universities would verify academic credentials digitally before HEC conducts final scrutiny of the applications.
Applicants can also make payments online through the 1-link banking system, removing the need for physical fee submission.
Once the review process is completed, HEC will issue a digitally verifiable e-attestation certificate instead of the traditional physical stamp. Applicants will receive updates through SMS and email notifications and will be able to download certificates directly from their online accounts.
Previously, applicants had to either courier documents to HEC offices or travel in person for attestation, often facing long processing times and additional expenses.
Officials said the transition to electronic certification would significantly reduce administrative burdens while improving convenience for students and graduates seeking document verification for employment, higher studies and international applications.
Read more: Brave citizen sacrifices life to thwart terror plot near Kohat
