HEC ED post: Names of shortlisted candidates sent to agencies for security clearance

The process of appointing the new executive director (ED) of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) by the ad hoc administration has entered its final stage, as the selection committee has sent the names of the shortlisted candidates to the agencies for security clearance after completing the interview round.

According to sources in the Federal Ministry of Education, the four shortlisted candidates out of the 15 candidates are Sargodha University Vice Chancellor Dr Qaiser Abbas, Aror University Vice Chancellor Dr Zahid Ali Khan, former Chairman Science Foundation Dr Shahid Ali Baig and Khyber Medical University Vice Chancellor Dr Zia-ul-Haq.

The hasty scrutiny and shortlisting of candidates by the ad hoc administration was severely criticized by teachers and educationists, who said the selection work for the post should have been left to the chairman because the selection committee was formed by former chairman Dr Mukhtar, some changes were also made by the acting chairman and preferred candidates were called for interviews. However, Acting Chairman/Federal Secretary for Education Nadeem Mehboob told The News that “opinion was sought from the Law Division before the case was processed. The Law Division informed that this is not a violation of the Act and as per judgments of the superior courts.”

He further said that the scrutiny for the post of ED was undertaken by a committee that was constituted before he joined. He said the interviews were conducted by the Selection Board consisting of very reputable names, and candidates were called in line with the MP 1 Policy (15 candidates against 1 post). Also, interviews were conducted once the court case was withdrawn.

He further said that in the interview process, the chairman had 40 marks while the rest of the members had 10 marks each. “I voluntarily distributed additional marks (at the start of interviews) to the members of the Selection Board so that everyone has equal marks and that the chairman may not have the upper hand. The candidates have been selected strictly on merit by the interview panel.”