SC orders HEC to shut down illegal private university campuses

'No compromise in provision of quality education to youth'

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to shut down illegal campuses of private universities across the country.

Two private universities had set up illegal campuses in Lahore and Karachi. The students had approached the court against the HEC for not issuing degrees from these illegal campuses.

The apex court stated that the HEC should provide degrees to the students who pass out of illegal campuses a special arrangement and ensure a uniform implementation of HEC policies across the country.

“There should be no compromise in providing quality education to the youth of the country,” the court maintained.

The court added that the federal and provincial governments should fully cooperate in maintaining the standards of the HEC.

The SC was then asked if private universities could set up sub-campuses outside their boundaries, as the HEC had previously clarified that universities were not allowed to set up campuses outside their boundaries.

The court remarked that the HEC had on several occasions issued alerts to private universities for setting up illegal campuses and was of the view that the cooperation of federal and provincial governments is essential in eradicating illegal activities.

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However, federal, and provincial governments did not cooperate with the commission.

The students' lawyer, Ali Zafar, said that the court had ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take action against private universities.

When students went to the Lahore High Court (LHC) for their degrees, the high court declared the campuses of private universities illegal, Zafar stated.

Justice Umar Bandial remarked that the HEC has its own powers and that NAB does not need to investigate the matter.

Justice Bandial added that the LHC gave an appropriate decision.