HEC Proposes Reduction in LLB Duration for Students

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Bar Council are considering a proposal to reduce the duration of the LLB program from five years to four years. The suggestion was discussed during a meeting at the HEC, chaired by Executive Director Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum.

Sources indicate that the meeting concluded with an agreement in principle to shorten the program. The minutes of the discussion will be shared with stakeholders, including bar councils and universities offering law degrees, to gather feedback.

If consensus is reached, a formal notification will be issued. The HEC has also pledged to help develop a revised curriculum for the four-year program if the proposal is approved.

According to an HEC press release, the initiative aims to align legal education with international standards and market demands. Representatives from 44 universities, the Pakistan Bar Council, and the Directorate of Legal Education participated in the meeting.

Stakeholders emphasized the need for curriculum updates to enhance practicality and competitiveness. Concerns were raised over the current program’s length, which is longer than international LLB degrees, creating challenges for local graduates and diverting students to foreign institutions.

The discussion also covered the implementation of semester systems, faculty training, and licensing reforms. The initiative has been widely praised for including all relevant stakeholders in the decision-making process.

News Courtesy:Pro Pakistani