PM asked to appoint HEC head immediately

Islamabad : Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has demanded immediate appointment of new Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC).

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, controlling authority HEC, the federation referred to the search committee which recommended a panel of four scholars including Prof Tariq Banuri, Prof Iqbal Chaudhry, Prof Anwar ul Hassan Gilani and Prof Muhammad Mukhtar. FAPUASA appreciate the committee for choosing four names on merit for which the whole nation in general and entire teaching fraternity in particular is ‘indebted for the tireless efforts made for the merit based transparent formation of panel.’

The letter lamented that the commission entrusted with more than Rs100 billion annual budget, is working without its permanent head since April 14 last and requested the Prime Minister to choose a person of eminence amongst the recommended panel with significant contribution in higher education sector as administrator and researcher without any further delay to avoid the apex education body becoming the prey of further adhocism. The Federal Government should have ensured the appointment of the next HEC chairperson within the tenure of the incumbent VC which it could not.

Earlier, President, FAPUASA, Dr Kaleemullah Bareach, President, FAPUASA, Islamabad Chapter, Dr Shehzad Ashraf Chaudhry and President Balochistan Chapter Dr Fareed Achakzai appreciated the Prime Minister of Pakistan for appointing an apolitical search committee comprising reputed academicians and scholars. They also lauded untiring efforts of search committee towards new head of HEC.