Introduction

"Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) was established in the year 2006 through a Presidential Ordinance. Its purpose is to regulate private educational institutions (PEIs) in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The Authority was given a clear mandate to register and regulate PEIs in ICT through the enactment of the Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2013, by the Parliament of Pakistan (Act No. XI of 2013). Since its establishment, the first-ever Annual Report was published for the year 2020, highlighting the Authority's yearlong activities. Previously, due to a lack of authentic data and limited organizational capacity in various aspects, the major functions of the Authority remained neglected, and PEIRA's activities could not be reported. The report is thematic and illustrates the Authority's mandate and the overall state of affairs while covering the previous situation and major challenges faced. It also highlights the measures taken for the improvement of service delivery, such as the swift and smooth registration process for PEIs, the shift to a Qualitative Reporting System, the introduction of online services, and the initiation of programs for the determination, maintenance, and improvement of educational standards in ICT. The Authority also partners in achieving global commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, through programs like Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and identifies and addresses policy gaps."