ISLAMABAD:The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training recommended the Government Bill titled “The Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026” to ensure 33% women representations in all Federal Boards, Statutory Bodies, Public Sector Organizations, and Allied Committees under the Federal Government during the 21st Meeting.
The meeting was held under the Acting Chairmanship of Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan, Member National Assembly (MNA) at Conference Room of Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology, Islamabad.
Earlier, The committee deferred consideration of the Private Members’ Bills presented during the meeting.
The committee asked the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to formulate a comprehensive strategy in addressing the operational challenges pertaining to the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA).
This strategy should encompass the regulation of fee structures within private educational institutions and propose measures to enhance the Authority’s capacity for the effective discharge of its mandated functions.
The Committee expressed serious concern over the occupation of buildings belonging to the Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE) and called for their immediate vacation by the occupying entities. The Committee emphasized that these facilities must be restored to their original purpose and utilized exclusively for the welfare and education of children with disabilities.
The committee was informed that out of the 25.3 million out-of-school children aged 5–16 in Pakistan, with 89,127 in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training launched a non-formal education (NFE) initiative in 2023, implemented through partners like NCHD, BECS, and NGOs, which has enrolled 71,005 students in ICT via community schools and Accelerated Learning Program centers that target marginalized groups through models using local spaces and teachers.
The program operates under a policy framework aligned with SDG-4 and Article 25-A, emphasizing inclusive access, data-driven planning, and community engagement, funded by federal allocations, community contributions, and public-private partnerships, and is supported by a coordination cell for quality assurance, teacher training, standardized assessment, and a comprehensive monitoring system resulting in improved access, teacher capacity, learning outcomes, and successful mainstreaming of students into formal education.
The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) informed the committee that its total sanctioned strength comprises 332 posts, of which 245 are currently filled by a mix of regular employees and officers appointed on deputation, while 85 posts remain vacant.
The committee observed that prolonged deputations often give rise to perceptions of favoritism and preferential treatment, adversely affecting morale and efficiency within the organization.
The Committee was informed that, in pursuance of the recommendations of the Committee constituted by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training regarding the regularization of employees, a summary was submitted to the Federal Cabinet.
Consequently, a high-level committee was constituted by the Establishment Division to examine the cases of regularization of daily wagers, contract employees, and contingent staff. The report of the said committee is currently awaited.
The meeting was attended by MNA’s including Syeda Amnah Batool, Mr Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Syed Sami Ul Hasan Gilani, Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Ms Farah Naz Akbar (Parliamentary Secretary), Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Ms Mussarat Rafique Mahesar, Mr Abdul Aleem Khan, Ms Sabheen Ghoury and Ms Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary and officials of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, officials of Higher Education Commission HEC and other officers concerned.