The tenure of the incumbent chairperson of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, will conclude today (July 29, 2025), marking the end of his controversial extended tenure.
Dr Mukhtar had already completed two full terms before being granted an additional one-year extension last year.
As per Section 8(3) of the HEC Ordinance, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, as the Controlling Authority of HEC, is empowered to appoint an Acting Chairperson from among the existing Commission members, for a maximum period of three months.
Clause 8(3) of HEC Act clearly states “In the case of vacancy occurring in the office of the Chairperson, the Controlling Authority may nominate any Member of the Commission to act as Chairperson for a maximum period of three months during which period the Controlling Authority shall fill in the vacancy by appointing a regular Chairperson.”
Sources confirm that the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training is expected to move a summary proposing the names of eligible commission members for the acting position.
The leading contenders include Dr Ehsan Ullah Kakar (Balochistan), Dr Samreen Hussain (Sindh), Dr Sarosh Lodi (Sindh), and Dr Sumaira Rehman (Punjab). Federal Education Minister and Convener of the Search Committee Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui firmly ruled out the possibility of any further extension, stating that the process for new leadership is already underway.
Historically, this interim provision has been utilized with the appointments of Engr. Imtiaz Gillani and Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai as acting chairpersons. According to the sources, some of the non-HEC commission members, vice chancellors even from private sector also tried for the acting charge of the HEC chairperson, but due to a very clear clause of the HEC Act, it could not be materialised.