COMSATS University’s Unauthorized Dual Degree Program Causes Rs 490 Million Loss, Audit Reveals

Islamabad: The unauthorized launch of a dual degree program by COMSATS University has reportedly caused a loss of Rs 490 million to the national treasury, an audit review has revealed.

The issue was discussed during a sub-committee meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Moin Amir Pirzada, which examined audit objections raised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

HEC officials noted that since degrees have already been issued, the audit objection can now be cleared. However, Moin Amir stressed that penalties or accountability measures should be enforced to prevent such incidents in the future.

COMSATS University’s Rector stated that when the dual degree program was initiated, no specific HEC regulations existed. He added that the matter was handled verbally at the time, implying no formal breach of rules was intended.

Committee member Nadeem Abbas emphasized that HEC and the institution played roles in the process and suggested that action should be taken against those responsible.

The audit identified the Rector and Registrar of COMSATS as primarily responsible for the issue. The matter was ultimately resolved with a warning, allowing the audit objection to be closed.