Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director, Dr Ziaul Qayyum, has been dismissed from his position after his performance was declared unsatisfactory. Mazhar Saeed has been appointed as the acting Executive Director.
The decision was made during a meeting of HEC members chaired by HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar. The meeting, which lasted an hour, included a presentation of Dr Qayyum's performance report via PowerPoint. Following the review, members unanimously approved his dismissal based on the findings.
Dr Ziaul Qayyum was appointed as executive director in 2023 for a four-year term. Under the rules of the MP-I scale, annual performance evaluations are mandatory, and his performance was found lacking during the latest review.
Acting Executive Director Mazhar Saeed is primarily serving as Director General at the HEC and also holds the additional charge of Advisor for Planning and Development. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar, whose one-year extended term ends on July 28, has long been part of HEC and previously served as executive director before assuming his current role.
Sources revealed that tensions between the HEC chairman and the Executive Director had been simmering for several months. Dr Qayyum's removal was reportedly linked to alleged delays in the execution of the federal laptop scheme. Repeated internal efforts to reconcile the differences between the two senior officials failed.
In response to his dismissal, Dr Qayyum raised serious concerns about the legality of the process. In a letter, he alleged that he was not allowed to defend himself or respond to the allegations. He claimed that he was informed of the commission meeting via a delayed email the night before and was denied both attendance and secretariat support.
He further stated that the HEC chairman unilaterally called the meeting, disregarding his formal objections submitted on April 28. He termed the session a violation of Sections 6, 9, 10, and 11 of the Higher Education Commission Act 2021. The lack of agenda circulation before the virtual meeting, he argued, casts doubt on its legal validity.
Dr Qayyum has demanded an impartial review of the allegations and a chance to present his side in accordance with legal procedures. He emphasised that the credibility and transparency of the commission rely on fair treatment and due process.
HEC officials maintain that the dismissal was carried out under applicable rules and policies.
The post of Executive Director is very important as it acts as the principal accounting officer of the HEC, which deals with about 130 development and non-development budgets of the commission annually.
The role also plays a crucial part in coordinating with universities across Pakistan, ensuring policy implementation, and overseeing major national initiatives in the higher education sector. As the HEC navigates this leadership transition, stakeholders within the academic community are closely watching how the commission addresses governance concerns and maintains continuity in its key projects and reforms.
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