Former HEC ED tries to resume office after resignation

ISLAMABAD: An interesting situation was witnessed in Higher Education Commission (HEC) secretariat when former Executive Director HEC Dr Arshad Ali, who resigned on the charges of plagiarism on October 20, showed up in the office on October 29 to rejoin the same position, at a time when HEC Chairperson Tariq Banuri was on an official foreign visit.

The former ED, who resigned on October 20 in a meeting of senior management, was allowed to avail one month’s leave instead of being required to pay one month’s salary in lieu of notice as a courtesy gesture. On October 29, former ED submitted a letter seeking for the withdrawal of his letter of resignation and cancellation of leave. He also tried to attend an official meeting. In a recent press conference, Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, HEC informed media about Dr. Arshad Ali’s resignation in view of the charges of plagiarism against him, although he denies the allegations. “In the weekly meeting of senior management, he himself tendered resignation and said that he is doing that in larger interest of the organization. He read the letter loud to the meeting participants,” said an HEC official. After his resignation, Lt. Gen. Muhammad Asghar, former Rector, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and Member of the Commission, was appointed provisionally as Acting Executive Director and an advertisement was immediately issued for the appointment of new ED.

In a clarification issued by HEC spokesperson, the commission confirmed that on October 20, 2018, Dr. Arshad Ali, submitted his resignation as Executive Director of HEC with immediate effect. The written resignation letter was received on October 21, 2018. The resignation was accepted by the Commission and he was informed accordingly. As a courtesy, he was allowed to avail one month’s leave instead of being required to pay one month’s salary in lieu of notice. The statement issued by HEC says that on October 29, 2018 Dr. Arshad Ali appeared to have had a change of heart and submitted a letter seeking for the withdrawal of his letter of resignation and cancellation of leave. Simultaneously, he showed up at the office and demanded to resume his service as the ED.

The Chairman HEC, who was on ex-Pakistan leave at that time, was informed of the situation. He has directed that while Dr. Ali should be treated with all the deference and courtesy due to a former colleague, he should be informed firmly that his resignation had been duly accepted and he was no longer an employee of the HEC.

The HEC statement also states that former HEC ED has been informed that his erratic and illegal behaviour was causing disruption in the functioning of the organization and that he should desist from such behaviour, failing which legal action would be instituted against him. The statement issued by the spokesperson says that this information has been conveyed to ED.