Dr Arshad likely to be acting HEC chief

Islamabad: As the top Higher Education Commission (HEC) office fell vacant on Sunday at the end of the three-year term of Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, there is a high likelihood of HEC Executive Director Dr Arshad Ali being given the acting charge.

Two more people are in the running to act as a stand-in for the HEC chief until a permanent appointment is made to the office. Among them as recommended by the professional and technical training ministry to the prime minister to make a choice from are science and technology secretary Yasmin Masood, professional and technical training secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani.

The search committee for the appointment of the new HEC chairman is already in place. Headed by convener Babar Ali and consisting of Dr Sania Nishtar, Dr Faisal Bari, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Mir Qamar Baig and education secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, the panel has already shortlisted applications for interview for the top HEC office. The interviews will begin on April 18 and last for three days. The committee will recommend three interviewees to the prime minister for making a choice as the four HEC chairman.