‘Kashmir issue should be handed over to universities’

• Dr Mukhtar says new HEC chairman to be appointed only on merit

ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmad on Friday said that the Kashmir issue could be resolved through education and it should be handed over to the universities.

Addressing the farewell press conference here at the HEC Secretariat on completion of his five-year tenure as the chairman, he said that he has also requested in his speech in the President’s House held recently that the Kashmir issue should be handed over to the universities.

He also lauded the support of all the institutions supported him including the government, education and planning committees especially Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal in the promotion of the higher education sector.

“I am satisfied with my performance during the last five years in the higher education sector as HEC chief,” Dr Mukhtar told a questioner. The national stance of Pakistan was also prepared by a university, he said, adding that HEC has also initiated different projects regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He also said that Pakistan was on the right track. “As now, we are able to support other countries rather than to beg from them,” he pointed out. He lauded efforts of his team, saying that he alone was unable to work. The issues would be resolved jointly, he said and thanked the government for showing trust in him.

To a question, the HEC chairman said that the new chief of the commission would be appointed only on merit. “I had visited all the institution for the development of the education sector,” he said. despite having an ability, many steps could not be taken, he said and hoped that the new HEC chairman would do so.

The chairman said that Pakistan was facing many challenges which could be faced only through education. He stressed the need to create hope among the nation as it was need of the hour. “We should collectively make efforts in this regard,” he said. It is pertinent to mention here that the tenure of the present HEC chairman would be completed by on Sunday (April 15) and he has applied for the extension of his tenure for the next five years on merit base.