ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman, Dr Tariq Banuri has been removed from his post about one year earlier than his scheduled tenure.
A notification has been issued regarding his removal.
Dr Tariq Banuri’s four-year term as the HEC chief was scheduled to be completed in May next year. However, complaints against him were allegedly common on wide scale. He had been running the HEC on ad hoc basis for the last three years.
Neither an ED was appointed on permanent basis, nor were regional directors provided to the educational sector. While, about a dozen consultants were hired on big salaries, among them some were retired and just a graduate by education.
On the other hand, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had recently launched an investigation against Tariq Banuri for alleged money embezzlement, irregularities, mismanagement and appointment of consultants. Meanwhile, the government has removed him from his post by cutting his job tenure.
A senior board member or ED shall be appointed Acting Chairman HEC, after which a permanent appointment will be made on the post through advertisement.
It is pertinent here to mention that Banuri was appointed as the HEC chairman by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for four years in May 2018.
On the flip side, educationists have expressed anger over the government’s decision.