Dewan University VC added to search committee for HEC chairman

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the inclusion of Dr Aurangzeb Khan, vice chancellor of Dewan University Karachi, in the search committee tasked with nominating the chairman of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).

Dr Khan was included in the committee on the recommendation of Federal Minister for Education & Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. After his inclusion, the number of members of the search committee has increased to nine.

Two weeks ago, a notification was issued regarding the formation of the eight-member search committee with Dr Siddiqui as its chairman.

The other members of the committee include Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar, Arif Saeed, Salman Akhtar, Apex Committee Secretary Jahanzeb Khan, Aga Khan University Provost Dr Anjum Hilai and Dr Muhammad Naseem Qaisrani. Federal Education & Professional Training Secretary Nadeem Mehboob was appointed as the secretary and member of the committee.

It may be noted that the federal government has decided not to extend the term of the current HEC chairperson, Dr Mukhtar, and to appoint a new chairman on merit through a competitive and transparent process. According to the HEC Act, the term of the HEC chairman can be extended only once.