No Extension for HEC Chairman, No Legal Provision Exists: Federal Education Minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has made it clear that there is no chance of an extension for the current Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), nor does the law provide any such provision.
Speaking informally to the media after the announcement of the Secondary School Certificate examination results under the Federal Board, Dr. Siddiqui said that the search committee will meet today to decide on advertising the vacant post.
He emphasized that the appointment of the new HEC chairman will be made soon and strictly on merit. “The government is committed to appointing an independent chairman through a fully transparent process,” he stated.
Dr. Siddiqui added that one of the current HEC members would be given the acting charge and reiterated that no proposal for extending the current chairman’s tenure is under consideration, nor does the chairman himself desire it. According to the HEC Act, only a commission member can be appointed as acting chairman.
When asked by a journalist why the Executive Director of HEC was not allowed to take charge despite a stay order from the court, the minister responded with surprise. “It is surprising that the ED HEC brought a stay order but still did not assume charge,” he said. “Anyway, the entire country seems to be running on stay orders these days.”