KARACHI: The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has announced that admissions to two universities – Metropolitan University Karachi, and ISRA University has been halted due to gross violations of and non-adherence to the body’s guidelines.

The commission has again displayed on its website it’s previous notice that asked students not to take admission in ISRA University.

In another statement on its official Twitter handle, the commission said: “Metropolitan University, Karachi is chartered by the Government of Sindh in private sector and recognised by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan.

The university was allowed to offer undergraduate degree programmes (ie, BBA, BS-Commerce, BS-Education, and BS-Islamic Studies) with 40 seats per semester only through its principal seat located at Sector 34-A, KDA Scheme # 33, Main University Road, Malir Cantt, Karachi.”

The HEC further said that the body would recognise/attest the degrees of students enrolled only in the above-mentioned degree programmes.

This will be done as per data shared by the university “in line with HEC directions/guidelines and subject to the fulfilment of all legal/codal formalities”.

However, the statement said that due to “gross violations, operating through unauthorised campuses/study centers and non-adherence of HEC guidelines”, the admissions of Metropolitan University have been stopped by the commission with effect from August 5, 2022.

According to the statement, unauthorised campuses of the university are located at Sukkur, Larkana, Quetta, Rawalakot, Islamabad, and Chakwal.

“Students and the public at large are hereby advised not to take admission in Metropolitan University, Karachi,” the statement said, adding, “degrees of students enrolled in Metropolitan University, Karachi after the cutoff date shall not be recognised by HEC”.

Meanwhile a student responded HEC saying:
“Why don’t you display these alerts on banners at all the unauthorized campuses? Why not shut those unauthorised campuses which are involved in fraudulent activities and take legal action against their owners/managers?”