Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Tariq Banuri has been dismissed before the expiry of his term and a formal notification has also been issued in this regard on Friday.
Dr Tariq Banuri was appointed in May 2018 by the former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for a four-year term and his tenure was due to end in May next year.
Reportedly, there were widespread complaints against him accusing him of running the HEC on an ad hoc basis. Dozens of consultants were recruited on the hefty salaries of the directors, some of whom were not only retired but also academically graduates.
Recently, the National Accountability Bureau had also launched an investigation against him for corruption, irregularities, mismanagement and appointment of consultants.
Meanwhile, an ordinance was issued to reduce the tenure of the Chairman HEC and dismiss him.
Read more: Student alert: HEC advises students to confirm degree programs before seeking admission
A senior member of the HEC board or Executive Director will now be appointed as the acting chairman, after which a permanent appointment will be made to the post by advertising for a permanent chairman.
Experts rue Dr Banuri’s dismissal
Educationists and experts have criticised the government’s move saying it would further damage the already shattered system.
Dr Adil Najam, Dean, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University, slammed the authorities on his removal and said Dr Tariq Banuri is being bullied out by pygmies for trying to mend a broken system.
Chairman HEC Dr. Tariq Banuri has been removed from his post before the expiry of his term. Dr. Banuri’s unceremonious departure is regretted.
“What a travesty!!! Its not just that Dr Tariq Banuri is being bullied out by pygmies for trying to mend a broken system.
He said that the ordinance will further wreck an already shattered system.
“Petty personal interests and a vile malicious campaign proves again that the greatest enemy of system reform is the system itself,” he added.
This is what I had written when Tariq Banuri was appointed. I was not alone in feeling elated. But our worst fears proved true: the system beat and bullied him down. The greater good is again sacrificed for parochial interests and petty egos.
Let us hang our head in shame! https://t.co/gKkw2psQvQ
— Adil Najam (@AdilNajam) March 25, 2021
Dr. Najam also shared what he had written when Dr. Banuri was appointed. “This is what I had written when Tariq Banuri was appointed. I was not alone in feeling elated. But our worst fears proved true: the system beat and bullied him down. The greater good is again sacrificed for parochial interests and petty egos,” he wrote.