In Pakistan, many students and professionals face a frustrating experience when getting their degrees and certificates attested. This image shows a crowd gathered outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, waiting for their turn to get their documents stamped. This chaotic process is not unique. After obtaining their degrees, individuals are often required to go through multiple layers of attestations, starting with the IBCC (Inter Board Committee of Chairmen), followed by the HEC (Higher Education Commission), and finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The entire process can take months, draining both time and money.

Why Is Degree Attestation So Complicated?

Pakistan might be one of the only countries where such a tedious and repetitive attestation process exists. After all, once a degree has been awarded and verified by a recognized educational institution, why is there a need for so many additional verifications?

1. Redundancy: Most of the time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is only confirming what has already been verified by the IBCC and HEC.
2. Costly and Time-Consuming: The attestation process involves various fees and often leads to long waits, sometimes stretching over months.
3. Corruption and Exploitation: The physical presence of applicants at multiple offices often leads to unofficial ‘facilitation’ costs, making it even more expensive and troublesome.

This inefficient system not only wastes time but also discourages many individuals from pursuing opportunities abroad, particularly when prompt document verification is needed for job applications, scholarships, or immigration processes.

A Simple Solution: Implementing a “No-Visit Policy”

In an age where most government services can be handled online, it’s disheartening to see such outdated methods in practice. A “No-Visit Policy” for document attestation can resolve these challenges.

1. Online Attestation: If sensitive documents like CNICs (Computerized National Identity Cards) and domiciles can be issued online, why can’t degree attestations? Implementing an entirely digital system would allow applicants to submit their documents from the comfort of their homes and receive attested copies electronically.
2. Digital Verification: The use of blockchain technology or secure digital platforms can ensure that the attestation is genuine and tamper-proof, reducing the need for multiple verifications by different bodies.
3. Reduced Corruption: By cutting out the need for physical visits to offices, the opportunities for corruption will decrease significantly. Applicants will no longer have to rely on middlemen to ‘speed up’ the process or pay unnecessary bribes.

Time for Digital Transformation

To streamline the process and make it more efficient, here are some digital solutions that can be implemented:

• One-Window Attestation Portal: A unified digital platform where applicants can upload their documents, and all necessary verifications are carried out automatically. This would eliminate the need to physically visit multiple offices.
• Mobile App Integration: A user-friendly mobile app could be developed to allow applicants to track the progress of their attestation, make payments, and receive updates in real time.
• Digital Stamps and QR Codes: Once a document is verified and attested, a digital stamp or QR code can be issued that can be scanned by employers, universities, or embassies for verification. This would make the process more secure and transparent.
• Customer Support Chatbots: To help users navigate the attestation process, AI-powered chatbots can provide 24/7 assistance, answering frequently asked questions and guiding applicants through the steps.

Why Should This Matter to You?

If you’re a Pakistani student or professional, you know the pain of dealing with government offices for attestations. Not only does it cost you precious time, but it can also delay career opportunities, admissions, or job placements abroad. Implementing a digital solution will:

• Save Time: No more standing in long queues or waiting months for a stamp.
• Cut Costs: Fewer fees for unnecessary middlemen or ‘facilitators.’
• Improve Accessibility: People from remote areas won’t have to travel long distances to get their documents verified.
• Boost Transparency: A digital system ensures transparency and accountability, reducing corruption.

A Call to Action for the Government

The Pakistani government has made strides in offering online services for various sectors, such as NADRA and the online passport application system. It’s time to extend these efforts to document attestation. By adopting digital solutions, the government can make the lives of its citizens much easier and eliminate a major bottleneck in the professional journey of thousands of Pakistanis.

The implementation of a “No-Visit Policy” is not just a convenience; it’s a necessity in today’s digital age. Let’s push for a system where degree attestations can be done online, saving time, money, and energy for all. After all, if we can issue CNICs and passports online, why should getting a degree attested still be such a burden?

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Estonia’s case offers a clear roadmap for Pakistan to follow. By digitizing the degree attestation process, leveraging secure digital platforms, and integrating data-sharing systems, Pakistan could drastically reduce the burden on its citizens. It would also help in cutting down corruption and inefficiencies in government services.

By adopting Estonia’s approach, Pakistan can move forward into a future where government services are accessible, transparent, and efficient for all its citizens.

Pakistan has the potential to transform its bureaucratic processes by leveraging technology. An efficient, transparent, and digital system for degree attestation can be a game-changer for professionals and students alike. It’s time to move away from outdated, cumbersome practices and embrace a digital future.

Let’s push for change and make government services truly serve the people.