Higher Education Commission Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Higher Education Commission has 10 executives leading key functions including academic excellence, degree attestation, research programs, and institutional management.

Committed to national advancement, Higher Education Commission drives academic quality and research innovation to empower students and institutions across the country through effective governance and professional support services.

Leadership Roles at Higher Education Commission

  • Deputy Director - Faisal Butt
  • Deputy Director - Talal Karim
  • Deputy Director - Agha Raza
  • Deputy Director - Faizah Shaikh
  • Deputy Director - Zafar Abbas Babar
  • Deputy Director - Abid Wahab
  • Deputy Director - Farrukh Raza
  • Deputy Director - Hakim Talpur
  • Deputy Director - Sadaf Akram
  • Deputy Director - Shabbir Baig
  • Faisal Butt - Deputy Director

    Faisal Butt, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, manages the national degree attestation framework. This role involves verifying academic credentials for thousands of students annually to ensure global recognition of Pakistani qualifications. Faisal Butt coordinates with regional offices to streamline verification workflows, reducing processing times for applicants. By implementing digital authentication protocols, the Deputy Director enhances security and transparency within the higher education ecosystem. This operational focus supports the broader mission of maintaining academic integrity across the country. Through rigorous oversight of attestation standards, the Deputy Director facilitates professional mobility for graduates seeking international opportunities. Constant collaboration with university registrars ensures that the database remains accurate and current. This leadership position directly impacts the efficiency of administrative services provided to the academic community, fostering trust in the national certification process while upholding the highest standards of institutional accountability.

    Talal Karim - Deputy Director

    Talal Karim, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, oversees the equivalence certificate department. This function requires evaluating foreign academic credentials against local standards to ensure fair placement for returning scholars. Talal Karim directs the assessment team in analyzing curriculum structures and grading systems from diverse international institutions. By establishing clear equivalence benchmarks, the Deputy Director enables seamless academic transitions for students pursuing advanced studies. This leadership role involves frequent engagement with international education boards to harmonize recognition policies. The Deputy Director maintains a robust framework that supports the mobility of researchers and students within the global academic landscape. Through meticulous review processes, the department minimizes barriers to entry for qualified individuals. This strategic oversight ensures that the national education system remains competitive and inclusive. Ultimately, the Deputy Director secures the integrity of academic pathways by validating diverse educational backgrounds against established national criteria.

    Agha Raza - Deputy Director

    Agha Raza, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, leads the grievance addressal division. This critical function involves resolving disputes between students, faculty, and educational institutions to maintain a fair academic environment. Agha Raza designs systematic protocols for investigating complaints regarding administrative irregularities or policy violations. By facilitating mediation sessions, the Deputy Director ensures that all parties receive equitable treatment under the established regulatory framework. This leadership role requires deep knowledge of higher education policies and conflict resolution strategies. The Deputy Director monitors trends in reported grievances to identify systemic issues that require policy adjustments. Through proactive engagement with university administrations, the department promotes transparency and accountability across the sector. This oversight protects the rights of students and researchers, fostering a culture of fairness. Ultimately, the Deputy Director strengthens the credibility of the national higher education system by providing a reliable mechanism for justice and institutional improvement.

    Faizah Shaikh - Deputy Director

    Faizah Shaikh, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, manages research grant administration and funding programs. This role involves evaluating project proposals from university faculty to ensure alignment with national development goals. Faizah Shaikh directs the allocation of financial resources to high-impact research initiatives in science, technology, and social studies. By overseeing the peer-review process, the Deputy Director guarantees that funding supports rigorous and innovative academic inquiry. This leadership position requires close coordination with the Board to prioritize research areas that address pressing national challenges. The Deputy Director monitors project milestones and financial compliance to ensure the effective utilization of public funds. Through these efforts, the department cultivates a vibrant research culture that enhances the global standing of local universities. This strategic focus on research excellence drives technological advancement and economic growth. Ultimately, the Deputy Director empowers scholars to produce meaningful work that contributes to the country's long-term prosperity.

    Zafar Abbas Babar - Deputy Director

    Zafar Abbas Babar, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, coordinates institutional quality assurance frameworks. This function involves conducting regular audits of universities to ensure compliance with national academic standards. Zafar Abbas Babar designs evaluation metrics that assess faculty qualifications, infrastructure, and curriculum delivery. By implementing these quality benchmarks, the Deputy Director drives continuous improvement across the higher education sector. This leadership role requires frequent site visits and data analysis to identify institutions needing support or intervention. The Deputy Director collaborates with academic councils to update accreditation criteria in response to evolving global trends. Through rigorous monitoring, the department ensures that students receive a high-quality education that meets professional requirements. This strategic oversight enhances the reputation of local degrees and promotes institutional excellence. Ultimately, the Deputy Director secures the future of the academic sector by enforcing standards that prioritize student learning outcomes and institutional integrity.

    Abid Wahab - Deputy Director

    Abid Wahab, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, manages digital infrastructure and information technology services. This role involves overseeing the development of online portals for degree attestation and scholarship applications. Abid Wahab directs the technical team in maintaining secure databases that store sensitive academic records for millions of users. By upgrading network capabilities, the Deputy Director ensures that digital services remain accessible and efficient for students across the country. This leadership position requires constant vigilance against cybersecurity threats to protect institutional data. The Deputy Director collaborates with other departments to integrate digital solutions into administrative workflows, reducing manual processing burdens. Through these technological advancements, the department improves the overall user experience for the academic community. This strategic focus on digital transformation supports the broader mission of modernizing higher education management. Ultimately, the Deputy Director provides the technical foundation necessary for the organization to deliver reliable and scalable services.

    Farrukh Raza - Deputy Director

    Farrukh Raza, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, oversees international academic partnerships and scholarship programs. This function involves managing collaborations with foreign universities to facilitate student exchange and faculty development. Farrukh Raza directs the selection process for prestigious international scholarships, ensuring that the most talented scholars receive opportunities for advanced training. By fostering these global connections, the Deputy Director enhances the research capabilities of local institutions. This leadership role requires navigating complex diplomatic and academic agreements to secure funding and placement for students. The Deputy Director monitors the progress of scholarship recipients to ensure that their training aligns with national human resource needs. Through these international initiatives, the department promotes knowledge transfer and cultural exchange. This strategic focus on global engagement elevates the standard of higher education within the country. Ultimately, the Deputy Director builds a network of skilled professionals who contribute to national development through their international expertise.

    Hakim Talpur - Deputy Director

    Hakim Talpur, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, manages financial planning and budgetary oversight for academic programs. This role involves allocating funds to various departments to ensure the efficient execution of organizational objectives. Hakim Talpur directs the preparation of annual financial reports and monitors expenditure against approved budgets. By implementing strict fiscal controls, the Deputy Director ensures transparency and accountability in the use of public resources. This leadership position requires close collaboration with the finance committee to optimize resource distribution across research and administrative functions. The Deputy Director analyzes financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising the quality of services provided to students. Through these efforts, the department maintains the financial stability necessary to support long-term educational initiatives. This strategic focus on fiscal management enables the organization to fulfill its mission effectively. Ultimately, the Deputy Director secures the financial health of the commission by enforcing rigorous budgetary discipline.

    Sadaf Akram - Deputy Director

    Sadaf Akram, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, leads the curriculum development and academic policy division. This function involves reviewing and updating degree programs to ensure they remain relevant to industry needs and global standards. Sadaf Akram directs committees of subject matter experts to design comprehensive syllabi that foster critical thinking and practical skills. By aligning academic policies with market demands, the Deputy Director improves the employability of graduates. This leadership role requires extensive consultation with industry leaders and academic stakeholders to identify emerging trends. The Deputy Director monitors the implementation of new policies across universities to ensure consistency and quality. Through these initiatives, the department promotes a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the modern workforce. This strategic focus on curriculum innovation drives the overall quality of higher education. Ultimately, the Deputy Director shapes the academic future of the country by establishing policies that prioritize excellence and relevance.

    Shabbir Baig - Deputy Director

    Shabbir Baig, the Deputy Director at Higher Education Commission, manages regional operations and institutional outreach. This role involves coordinating with universities across diverse geographic areas to ensure the uniform application of national education policies. Shabbir Baig directs regional teams in providing on-the-ground support to institutions, addressing local challenges in infrastructure and faculty development. By maintaining a strong regional presence, the Deputy Director facilitates effective communication between the central commission and individual universities. This leadership position requires frequent travel and engagement with local academic leaders to understand specific regional needs. The Deputy Director monitors the implementation of national programs at the local level to ensure that all students have access to quality education. Through these outreach efforts, the department fosters a cohesive national higher education system. This strategic focus on regional integration supports the broader mission of equitable academic development. Ultimately, the Deputy Director ensures that national standards are upheld consistently across all territories.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Higher Education Commission Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Higher Education Commission?
    Higher Education Commission is led by Faisal Butt (Deputy Director), along with executives such as Talal Karim (Deputy Director) and Agha Raza (Deputy Director).
    Who is part of Higher Education Commission’s executive team?
    The executive team of Higher Education Commission includes leaders such as Faisal Butt (Deputy Director), Talal Karim (Deputy Director), Agha Raza (Deputy Director) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Higher Education Commission have?
    Higher Education Commission has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Higher Education Commission’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Higher Education Commission includes roles such as Deputy Director, Deputy Director, Deputy Director, Deputy Director, Deputy Director.