Appointment challenged: LHC seeks academic credentials of HEC boss

Petitioner accuses Dr Mukhtar Ahmad of corruption

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has sought the details of the academic credentials of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman on a petition challenging his appointment.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi directed on Monday the HEC chairman to submit a reply and his academic record by March 20.

A lawyer, Osama Memon, had challenged the appointment of Dr Mukhtar Ahmad as the HEC chairman allegedly for violating rules and regulations of the commission.

He claimed the respondent lacked experience and qualifications required for the post, and was also involved in corruption of millions of rupees.

Advocate Osama added that Dr Mukhtar secured his PhD and MBA degrees simultaneously against the rules of the HEC. He asked the court to order the prime minister to remove the HEC chairman from the post and also recover the allegedly misappropriated amount from him in the light of the audit report.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2017.