IBCC has suspended certificate verification and equivalence services across Pakistan after a CERT advisory, putting its portal in read-only mode and pausing new applications.
What IBCC Suspended and Why
The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) has temporarily suspended verification of matriculation and intermediate certificates across Pakistan following a cybersecurity advisory from the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT). According to an official notification, the verification and equivalence process for O and A Level certificates has also been halted.
As a precaution, several online verification services have been disabled. In simple terms, IBCC is trying to protect student records and system integrity by limiting access while it responds to potential cyber threats. This kind of step is usually taken when authorities believe systems could be targeted, compromised, or manipulated, especially when sensitive personal and academic data is involved.
Officials have also said manual verification and equivalence processes were already discontinued, making it difficult to switch back to older offline methods during the outage.
How the “Read-Only Mode” Works for Applicants
IBCC has placed its verification and equivalence portal in “read-only mode.” That means existing users can log in and check the status of their applications, but new applications cannot be submitted for now. If you have already applied, you can still view progress, but you may not be able to move forward with new steps until the system returns to normal.
This change has created difficulties for thousands of students in cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Islamabad. Many students need verification or equivalence documents for admissions, scholarships, employment documentation, and official record updates. Without new application intake, students who have not yet filed are effectively paused until services resume.
Because the portal is central to processing, even a short disruption can create backlogs. Once the system reopens, applicants may face longer queues as IBCC clears pending cases and handles fresh submissions.
Who Is Most Affected: Admissions and Study-Abroad Deadlines
Students applying for universities and colleges are among the most affected, especially those facing strict deadlines. Verification and equivalence are often required to complete admissions files, confirm eligibility, or finalise enrollment.
Students planning to study abroad may face even more pressure. Many international admissions and visa processes require verified documents within a fixed window. Delays can lead to missed submission dates, deferred intakes, or rescheduling of embassy appointments. Even when academic requirements are complete, missing verification paperwork can stall the entire process.
A practical step for students is to keep proof of their application status, such as screenshots of portal updates, receipts, and reference numbers. This evidence can help when requesting deadline extensions from universities or scholarship bodies.
What IBCC Said About Restoration and Overseas Access
The CERT advisory was issued last week after cyberattacks targeted websites of several Pakistani television channels and government institutions, according to the information provided. In response, IBCC is prioritising security before reopening services fully.
IBCC Executive Director Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah said the portal is being restored for users within Pakistan, while overseas users will temporarily have read-only access until the system is fully secured. This suggests IBCC may be limiting features for overseas connections during the risk period to reduce exposure.
Until full services return, students should check official IBCC updates, avoid unofficial “agents” promising fast verification, and be careful with sharing CNIC or certificate details online. Once the portal reopens, applicants should submit early to avoid post-outage congestion.
