ISLAMABAD:The federal government on Saturday announced the removal of Dr Tariq Banuri as the chairperson of the (HEC) with immediate effect.
“In terms of sub-section (5), read with sub-section (5A), of Section 6 of Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002, as amended vide Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, Dr. Tariq Danuri has ceased to be the Chairperson, Higher Education Commission forthwith and is accordingly removed from the said post, with immediate effect,” stated a notification issued by cabinet secretariat.
Banuri was at the position by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in May 2018. He was to complete his tenure in May 2022.
According to the presidential ordinance, the tenure of the HEC chairperson has been reduced to two years.
According to reports, the presence of 15 consultants on hefty salaries of Rs0.8 million each along with charges of some additional posts was the main reason for Banuri’s dismissal whereas the rules, set for the appointment of such consultants, were also not followed.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) also took notice of the appointment and sought clarification from the HEC.
Furthermore, Banuri usually avoided meeting with the vice-chancellors and listening to the grievances of public universities.
Despite strong reservations from stakeholders on the associate degree program and PhD program, he did not show any flexibility on the matter nor did he meet any vice-chancellor of any province on the issue
After Burani’s dismissal, no one has been given the responsibility of the HEC chairperson as of yet.
