ISLAMABAD: The Finance ministry on Saturday assured the Higher Education commission that it would release the Rs7.7 billion that had earlier been withheld by the ministry.
The funds had been stopped after the ministry had declared that the status of the HEC was not known and had asked the education body to wait for the government’s decision regarding its devolution.
The ministry has said that the funds will be released within three days. According to sources, the funds will be used to pay the salaries of HEC employees.
The Higher Eduction Commission is being devolved to the provinces under the 18th amendment plan.
The HEC was created in 2002 and is widely recognised as a highly successful institution that has been able to revitalise higher education in Pakistan through its regulation of standards at public and private universities as well as securing additional funding for universities as well as scholarships for students, both to local and foreign universities. Nearly 5,000 Pakistani students are currently studying abroad on HEC or HEC-affiliated scholarships. In addition, the HEC finances research and has ensured that academics in Pakistan are well-paid.
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