In short
Before a Pakistani degree can move to MOFA, the federal commission for higher education must verify it. This reference covers what HEC attests, what it does not, and how the paperless system works.
The federal degree verifier
A university degree, a diploma, or a transcript does not move on to MOFA attestation or an apostille until the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has verified it. HEC is the federal body behind that check, and it is one of the Pakistani authorities that foreign bodies, from WES to Gulf health regulators, treat as the recognised source for a degree.
What HEC attests
HEC attests qualifications from recognised Pakistani universities and degree-awarding institutions, including Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD degrees, their transcripts, and related diplomas and certificates. The key word is recognised. If the university or institution is not recognised by HEC, the standard attestation path does not apply, and the file becomes case by case.
What HEC does not do
The scope boundaries are where most of the confusion comes from.
| Document or job | Authority |
|---|---|
| University degree or transcript attestation | HEC |
| Matric and intermediate board certificates | Board (BISE / FBISE), then IBCC, not HEC |
| Foreign school qualifications (O and A Levels) | IBCC equivalence, not HEC |
| Credential evaluation for Canada (WES and others) | The evaluation body, working from HEC-attested documents |
| Professional licences | The regulator (for example SCFHS or DHA). EC only attests the degree |
The paperless system, step by step
HEC replaced physical submission with a fully online Degree Attestation System. The current flow runs as follows.
- Create an account on HEC's e-services portal and complete the profile.
- Apply for degree attestation and upload legible scans of the degree and transcripts.
- Complete the identity and university verification steps HEC requests.
- Download the electronic attestation certificate when it is issued.
Because the process and its rules change, the current HEC portal and user manual are the controlling instructions, not an older walkthrough.
The degree route through HEC
For a degree leaving Pakistan, the sequence moves from university to HEC attestation, then MOFA attestation or apostille, and finally the destination embassy where required. For a WES evaluation, HEC e-attestation is one input into the WES document process, where WES evaluates the credential and HEC attests it. Open the HEC attestation service page.
Sources
- HEC Degree Attestation System, checked 12 August 2026
- HEC E-Services Portal, checked 12 August 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name behind the HEC abbreviation?
What documents does HEC attest?
Do I need HEC attestation before MOFA?
How do the HEC and IBCC attestation scopes differ?
Is HEC attestation needed for a WES evaluation?
How does the paperless HEC system work?
About Sannan Siddique
Sannan Siddique is the founder and CEO of Attestdone. He spent about ten years in logistics and compliance in the Gulf before returning to Pakistan, where he built Attestdone around written quotes, tracked document handling, and staff who file at the authorities themselves.
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