IHC restores Banuri as chairman of HEC

Announces verdict reserved on petition filed by Banuri

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday reinstated Dr Tariq Banuri as the chairman of the Higher Education Commission.

Banuri was removed from his post in March 2021 after the incumbent government reduced the tenure of the HEC chairman from four years to two through the promulgation of a presidential ordinance.

His removal had triggered widespread criticism from educationists as well as opposition parties. At that time, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said, “Tabahi Sarkar continues its demolition of institutions. The serving chair who refused to give in to pressure to act against the interest of the HEC has been removed.”

Banuri later filed a petition in the IHC against the decision of his removal from the position.

The court had prohibited the government from appointing a new HEC chairman till a decision was reached.

On Tuesday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq issued the verdict, restoring Banuri to his former position.

“For reasons to be recorded later the petition in hand is allowed,” the verdict stated. “Consequently, the impugned notifications, dated March 26, 2021 and April 5, 2021, are declared to have been issued without lawful authority and contrary to amended provisions of the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002.

“Dr Tariq Javed Banuri, therefore, stands restored as the chairman of the Higher Education Commission.”

The notification issued by the Establishment Division on March 26, 2021 said, “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 Bannri has ceased to be the Chairperson. Higher Education Commission forthwith and is accordingly removed from the said post, with immediate effect.”