-
-
Pakistani intermediate certificates will soon be directly accepted by foreign educational institutions, confirmed Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah in a recent interview.
He announced that the long-standing requirement of sealed verification envelopes from relevant boards has now been abolished, and all 29 national and technical education boards have moved to an online verification system.
This digital shift also includes plans to bring madrassa certificates under the same system. Online verification for religious education certificates is expected to be launched soon.
Dr Mallah explained that since 2023, the IBCC has transitioned into a regulatory body through the IBCC Act, replacing the previous Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen model.
The commission now regulates foreign educational boards operating in Pakistan through a new portal which is already active, uses 15 criteria to assess foreign qualifications for equivalence.
He said his leadership brought administrative reforms, including uniform policy implementation across all boards. His appointment, originally on a contract basis in 2020, has now become permanent until retirement.
READ: FPSC increases online application fees for competitive exams
IBCC has rolled out SMS and email notification systems, informing applicants about the status of attestation or equivalence requests. Employers and universities can now access auto-verification portals.
A central database is under development to allow easy and quick access to academic records. Social media support, helplines, and a customer care desk have also been launched.
Dr. Mallah added that the IBCC Act enhanced the organization’s legal power and credibility. Consultations with stakeholders ensured a robust legal framework for educational coordination.
Other reforms include introducing conceptual and practical exam models to replace rote memorization. A uniform model assessment framework has been shared with all boards for implementation.
The grading scheme has also been revamped to reflect real achievement. The “additional exam” label is now removed and replaced with a second annual examination to ease student pressure.
Efforts are ongoing with UK’s ECCTIS and other countries to get direct university entry for Pakistani intermediate students without extra hurdles or excessive documentation.
He confirmed that IBCC has introduced QR code-based equivalence certificates and reduced paperwork through online application systems, cutting down the overall processing time significantly.
