Pakistan

Litigation: Supreme Court takes up HEC case

Supreme Court to take up petition challenging the devolution of the Higher Education Commission.

Qaiser Zulfiqar April 10, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will take up a petition challenging the devolution of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday.

The petition has been filed by Professor GA Miana through the ministry of law and parliamentary affairs. Professor Attaur Rehman, the architect of the HEC and its first chairman, has filed an application for suo motu action to keep the HEC at the federal level of government.

The petitioner has requested the court to declare the devolution of the functions and authorities to the provinces through a notification on March 31 or any other directions or command or by any means to be unconstitutional and liable to be reversed in the petition submitted by Advocate Arshad Ali Chaudhry.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (6)

Maroof Hussain Sabri | 13 years ago | Reply @ Shaheen Dear Madam Shaheena, I think you are a big critic of musharraf and his allies. No doubt musharraf's dicatotrship can not be justified and so does the validation by Mr. Iftikhar choudhry. What mr. iftikhar chodhry did to regain its office i disliked it at that time and i also disliked the role of Judicial system in Raymond davis case. The govt was so happy to accept that decision by a lower court and affirmed to respect judicial judgements. I expext the same at the govt ends to accept if any decision by the SC. Everything that happened during musharraf's era wasn't bad. many bad things happened but education, economy and some other things were excellent. Now elected democratic govt has played havoc with the lives of middle class. They have broken all the previous records of corruption. BUT WE"LL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM and any attempt tp sabotage our higher education system in country will be proved as a last nail for the govt. The shameless bloody illiterate fack degree club should spare something for the sake of this country.

Faqir | 13 years ago | Reply After Judicial murder, Judicial dictatorship , now will we see the judicial one unit. How can supreme court can rule on the issue of devolution and provincial autonomy. HEC devolution is being pursued under 18th constitutional amendement. and no constitutional amendment can be brought in the supreme court as SC can't write constitution.

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Shaheena | 13 years ago | Reply Will now witness the Judicial One-unit. Un-democratic forces, Atta-ur-rehman and like, the allies of Dictator Musharraf, were rejected by the people of Paklistan in the electoral process. Now these forces are now bent upon to use the Ch. Iftikhar (aka Supreme Court) to undo the constitutional amendment. How can Supreme Court struck down the 18th amendement. Moreover, the issue of provincial autonomy should never be solved by the judiciary where not all provinces are adequately represented. Yes, Ch. Iftikhar's is domciciled in Baluchistan but the credibilty of CJ's domicile was called into question by the Baluch politicians- one PPP minister lost job by raising the fake domicile issue of CJ. Also, CJ Iftikhar validated the Musharraf's coup in the Supreme Court judgement and to date has never repented or rescinded it. It is important for Pakistan's security and integrity not to impose "judicial one-unit" on smaller provinces of Pakistan. HEC is againt the interests of smaller provinces as it uses so-called "selective merit principle" to deprive students and academia from smalller provinces"

Dr Intasar H Taqvi | 13 years ago | Reply The devolution of HEC means to push the people of middle class into the never ending era of illiteracy.Higher education is not the need of elites and those who do not pay tax only use the tax of middle class. It is the need of middle class; if you think not the need of Pakistani people. This is wrong to say that the provinces have the capability to handle HEC.Our provincial authorities have destroyed the secondary and intermediate level education.We know the role of coaching centers in the cities and in rural areas the role of Waderas and Chodhries how they capture the teachers, invigilators, exam papers, answer copies and the centers of exams. What we or senator Raza Rabbani think about the fate of HEC in the hands of such Waderas,Chodhries,Sardars,Arbabs and Khans. I am afraid the coaching centers and packages deal will start to function for higher degrees. NOw we listen that BA MA has no capacity to write an application and jobless BA and MA are increasing in numbers. Future will be more horrifying if HEC will be devolved .

hani | 13 years ago | Reply i Really wish that SC can do justice with the Pakistan education.HEC by far was the only body in Pakistan, upon which we Pakistani students can feel proud ... HEC devolution has been one of the most ILLITERATE acts taken by the ILLITERATE class of Pakistan. May Allah Bless this country...this is the only hope that is left now..

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