Civil society, student organisations protest against violation of merit in HEC chief’s appointment
A large number of members of the civil society and students’ organizations held protest against alleged violation of merit in appointment of Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman and demanded reviewing the decision in the larger interest of country and the education sector.
During the protest held outside Islamabad Press Club (IPC), the protestors demanded appointments of heads of autonomous organisations to be made in accordance of prescribed laws through transparent and merit-based mechanism. The demonstrators displayed placards and chanted slogans for merit-based appointment of the HEC chief.
The demonstrators termed the appointment of the new HEC chief as violation of Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict of January 6, 2014 wherein the federal government was directed to make the appointment of regular HEC chairman as per HEC Act and prescribed process.
The protestors announced to expand peaceful demonstrations throughout the country in case of non-acceptance of their demands. They also termed surprise appointment of new HEC chairman as injustice with the leading and senior academicians who were waiting for interview and completion of selection process.
Addressing the protest demonstration Muslim Hands International Country Manager Syed Ziaul Noor expressed reservations over the violation of merit and misleading prime minister for appointment of the chairman. He said that people not only in Pakistan but around the world were expecting for transparent and merit-based appointment of the new chairman of HEC as per federal government‘s principles of merit, transparency and good governance. However, some elements misguided prime minister over this important matter and the name of the person, who had earlier been rejected by prime minister, has been reconsidered for important and prestigious position of HEC chairperson.
It is quite strange that few days earlier, the Islamabad High Court was informed by federal government that summary for three persons including the name of new nominated chairperson HEC had been rejected and new search committee headed by Khawaja Muhammad Asif had been assigned the task for appointment of HEC chairperson.
He said that the future of young generation of Pakistan and higher education sector is dependent upon the right policies and decisions of HEC. Only qualified, non-controversial, sincere and honest leadership of HEC could solve their problems.