To extend or not?: PM to decide fate of HEC chief
Laghari’s term expires on August 27.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Javaid Laghari. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The fate of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Javaid Laghari hangs in the balance with his contract due to expire on August 27. According to sources at the Ministry of Education, Training and Standards in Higher Education, a summary recommending an extension for the term of the incumbent HEC chief sent by their office to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat was turned down.
“That summary was rejected and now the body which appoints management position (MP) scale officers will probably look for the new people,” a source informed.
He further added that Laghari can apply afresh when new names will be considered for interviews in the coming days.
Under the rules, all extensions and appointments for MP-scale employees are to be decided by a three-member committee comprising the secretaries of finance, science and technology, and education, training and standards and higher education.
According to the HEC Ordinance, the Prime Minister (PM) has the final say on the matter after shortlisted names are forwarded to his office.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Minister of State for Education, Training and Standards in Higher Education Muhammad Balighur Rehman rejected the insinuation of the summary’s denial and termed it as “mere rumours”.
He said they were running short of time as the HEC chief’s term is about to end and it makes sense to grant him an extension of service owing to his proven credentials and track record.
“However, it is the PM office which will have the final say in the matter with regard to an extension or a new appointment,” he said.
Lagharii, appointed by the previous government in 2008, had a shaky relationship with the then-government, initially due to the fake degree cases of parliamentarians, and later with the appointment of a new HEC executive director and the regularisation of contractual employees.
Besides the new head for the country’s sole higher education regulatory body, names for the new executive director of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and chairpersons of National Commission for Human Development and Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education have also been sent to the PM Secretariat.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2013.
The fate of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Javaid Laghari hangs in the balance with his contract due to expire on August 27. According to sources at the Ministry of Education, Training and Standards in Higher Education, a summary recommending an extension for the term of the incumbent HEC chief sent by their office to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat was turned down.
“That summary was rejected and now the body which appoints management position (MP) scale officers will probably look for the new people,” a source informed.
He further added that Laghari can apply afresh when new names will be considered for interviews in the coming days.
Under the rules, all extensions and appointments for MP-scale employees are to be decided by a three-member committee comprising the secretaries of finance, science and technology, and education, training and standards and higher education.
According to the HEC Ordinance, the Prime Minister (PM) has the final say on the matter after shortlisted names are forwarded to his office.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Minister of State for Education, Training and Standards in Higher Education Muhammad Balighur Rehman rejected the insinuation of the summary’s denial and termed it as “mere rumours”.
He said they were running short of time as the HEC chief’s term is about to end and it makes sense to grant him an extension of service owing to his proven credentials and track record.
“However, it is the PM office which will have the final say in the matter with regard to an extension or a new appointment,” he said.
Lagharii, appointed by the previous government in 2008, had a shaky relationship with the then-government, initially due to the fake degree cases of parliamentarians, and later with the appointment of a new HEC executive director and the regularisation of contractual employees.
Besides the new head for the country’s sole higher education regulatory body, names for the new executive director of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and chairpersons of National Commission for Human Development and Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education have also been sent to the PM Secretariat.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2013.