ISLAMABAD, FEB 24 /DNA/ – The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) convened a high-level consultative meeting to deliberate on jurisdictional clarity and enhance coordination among Accreditation Councils in the accreditation of undergraduate programs. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman HEC.

Mr. Muhammad Raza Chohan, Member, HEC, along with other senior officials representing the Academics and Curriculum, Quality Assurance, Legal Affairs, Attestation and Accreditation divisions and officials from Accreditation Councils participated in the meeting. The discussion was focused on reinforcing institutional alignment, streamlining accreditation processes, and safeguarding regulatory coherence within the higher education framework.

During the meeting, Mr. Muhammad Raza Chohan reiterated HEC’s statutory authority under the HEC Ordinance 2002, particularly emphasizing Clause 20, which establishes the overriding effect of the Ordinance over any conflicting legislation. The participants reaffirmed that HEC serves as both regulator and facilitator of higher education in Pakistan.

It was emphasized that compliance with HEC-prescribed standards is mandatory at every stage of an institution’s academic lifecycle – from establishment and program approval to curriculum development, inclusion in the Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR), and degree attestation.

The meeting also provided clarity on the delineation of responsibilities between HEC and Accreditation Councils within the National Qualifications Framework, whereby the Accreditation Councils retain the mandate for accrediting professional undergraduate programs that lead to licensure, while oversight of MS, MPhil, and PhD programs remains within the exclusive purview of the QAA-HEC, unless specific authorization is granted. This clarification aims to eliminate overlaps, enhance coordination, and ensure consistency in quality assurance mechanisms across all academic tiers.

Reaffirming HEC’s commitment to academic excellence, Chairman HEC Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad directed the convening of a plenary session with all Accreditation Councils to strengthen institutional collaboration and foster a unified quality enhancement strategy.

“The integrity and global credibility of Pakistan’s higher education system depend upon close coordination between HEC and professional councils,” the Chairman stated.

“Our shared objective must be to ensure that university programs consistently meet national standards and align with international benchmarks,” he added.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to collaborative governance, regulatory clarity, and sustained efforts toward strengthening the quality and credibility of higher education in Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 24 /DNA/ – The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), under its Ambassador’s Platform, organized a public talk titled “Pakistan–Iran Relations: An Enduring Partnership in a Changing Region.” H.E. Reza Amiri-Moghaddam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, Board of Governors, ISSI and Dr. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA spoke on the occasion.

The distinguished speaker, H.E. Reza Amiri-Moghaddam while stating his views said that the two neighboring countries share a long common border and together represent a population of nearly 350 million people. Robust people-to-people ties, a strategically significant geographic location, substantial complementary, and non-competitive economic structures create extensive opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. He further opined that Iran and Pakistan also maintain closely aligned positions on numerous regional and international issues, including the question of Palestine. He noted that terrorism and separatist movements are other serious challenges requiring enhanced cooperation and coordination between the two neighbors.

Moreover, their collaboration is reinforced through regional engagement, mutual diplomatic support, and common membership in important multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8). He also shed light on the fact that Iran–Pakistan relations are currently experiencing one of their most constructive phases in recent decades. The exchange of more than 25 high-level delegations over the past two years, along with the signing of 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding across diverse sectors, reflects the upward trajectory of cooperation and the shared recognition of the strategic importance of bilateral relations. Two presidential visits from Iran within this period, in addition to visits by the Speaker of Parliament, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, foreign ministers, and other senior officials, underscore the depth and dynamism of mutual interaction. Ambassador Reza also pointed to the vast economic potential of regional cooperation, noting that Pakistan and Iran together represent a market of nearly two billion people, which could further expand with the inclusion of Turkiye. He concluded by saying that Iran–Pakistan relations rest upon a solid foundation of shared history, cultural affinity, and common strategic interests.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, while expressing his views, said that Pakistan and Iran are two brotherly countries bound by culture, history and religion and relations with Iran predate the existence of Pakistan. Ties further deepened after Pakistan came into being and Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan. Furthermore, Iran’s support for Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars is also a testament to their close ties. There have been difficult phases in the relationship, which have strained the relationship at times. He further said that both countries are closer to each other than ever before, although challenges remain, like terrorism, and sectarianism. He concluded by saying that, in a changing region, with new hostilities, Pakistan and Iran remain committed to working together on shared peaceful solutions.

Dr. Amina Khan, while giving her remarks stated that Pakistan and Iran share a long-standing bilateral relationship grounded in historical ties, geographic proximity, and intertwined security and economic interests. In recent years, bilateral relations have remained positive and forward-looking, characterised by sustained high-level engagement, close coordination on regional and international developments and commitments to the principle of sovereign equality, she emphasized that there has been significant alignment on key issues, particularly Afghanistan, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the broader objective of preserving peace and stability in the region.  She further said that during last year’s 12-day Israeli aggression, Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s military strikes against Iran, labeling them “reckless” provocations that threaten regional stability and a “grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, international law, and the UN Charter.

The talk was attended by diplomats, academics, students, practitioners and members of the civil society and ended with an engaging Question and Answer session.

KARACHI, FEB 24 /DNA/ – Atif Ikram Sheikh President FPCCI & President of the Economic Cooperation Organization’s Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECO-CCI), has apprised that following recent high-level visits of the leadership of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Pakistan – which emphasized strengthening economic and trade cooperation – he has initiated steps to enhance private-sector collaboration among ECO member states.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh has invited the national chambers of commerce and industry of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to convene bilateral Joint Business Council meetings with FPCCI to promote trade and economic cooperation for regional connectivity; economic interdependencies and shared prosperities for their populace.

Mr. Atif Ikram Shiekh elaborated that the proposed meetings aim to review existing bilateral trade relations; assess progress and opportunities vis-à-vis commercial understandings reached during recent high-level engagements and identify priority sectors for future growth and investment. The initiative also envisages organizing Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings; facilitating single-country exhibitions and promoting exchange of trade delegations to strengthen direct linkages between the business communities.

FPCCI Chief informed that the letters have been addressed to the The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken” – highlighting the importance of structured institutional engagement to translate high-level political goodwill into tangible economic outcomes.

Both Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are active members of ECO and Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President ECO-CCI has emphasized that closer coordination among ECO member chambers would play a vital role in enhancing regional connectivity; promoting intra-regional trade and advancing economic integration across the ECO region.

FPCCI has reaffirmed its commitment, in collaboration with ECO CCI member chambers, to creating new opportunities for businesses and strengthening regional economic cooperation.