– Serious irregularities, illegalities observed under out-going HEC Chairman
ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) with more than an annual budget of Rs 95 billion has rapidly lost its credibility due to poor performance during its current management, as serious irregularities and illegalities are being observed at HEC since the appointment of the out-going HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, reveals a report.
Part I of overview report related to four-year performance of Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, as a chairperson from April 2014- 2018 released on Sunday. The report was prepared by Working Group on Higher Education Reforms, Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Islamabad Chapter Institute for Democratic Education & Accountability (IDEA), PhD Doctors Association Pakistan (PDA), Centre for Inclusive Governance (CIG) Pakistan, National Democratic Foundation (NDF) Pakistan, Youth Council of Pakistan (YCP), Centre for Culture and Development Pakistan (CCDP) and Pakistan Social Services Partnership (PSSP).
While citing various international, regional and national assessments by a number of reputed organisations such as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the report states that HEC is one of the key institutions under the controlling authority of prime minister of Pakistan. The success and performance of the HEC is linked with the future of this nation through almost 187 public and private sector universities.
The available record reflected the irregularities, financial illegalities, along with inefficiency and poor performance, as Pakistan’s higher education sector has started going down despite a significant increase in funding to HEC by the federal government during last four years.
While reviewing governance crisis/violations and irregularities, the report mentioned that a culture of adhocism and favouritism was deliberately promoted through appointment of a number of senior officers on a deputation basis. In addition, in violation of Supreme Court Orders and HEC recruitment rules, retired government officials’ contracts extended as heads in key departments: Audit, Quality Assurance, and Chairman Office etc and the consultants are made responsible for critically important functions of HEC instead of recruiting professionals through an openly competitive process.
The recent Federal Audit Report 2016-17 clearly highlighted that HEC administration failed to utilise 49% of released development funds (Rs 373.738 million) due to poor monitoring, inefficient management and weak governance. This happened for the first time in 15 years of HEC in continuity of recent decline in performance of HEC observed by academia at large.
The consequences of failing to utilise almost half of the HEC funds led to severe fiscal deficiencies within public sector universities, including delay in completion of higher education projects. According to the report, the compliance status of directives of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) remained zero percent as 12 directives are stilling pending for compliance.
Within last three years, out of 149 new development projects reflected in annual budget/PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme), HEC could get only 66 projects approved which resulted in depriving public sector universities to undertake steps towards improving existing facilities and fulfilling growing needs.
HEC’s 18 members governing body (Commission) has been made ineffective and non-functional due to non-appointment of more than 10 regular members. The HEC did not pursue it purposely to avoid control of the governing body. This has led to adhocism in making policy decisions in violation of HEC Act.
Violating HEC Act, all the important policy decisions were made by Dr Mukhtar himself without approval by HEC governing body or by the Prime Minister, who is the Controlling Authority of HEC, and without consultation with concerned stakeholders.
Current Financial Year budget 2017-18 was not approved by HEC Board which is required by the HEC Act. Two meetings were also mandatory as per HEC Act but could not be held. As per clause 10 (g & h) of the HEC Ordinance, HEC is bound for provision of recurring and development funding on performance and need basis and review /examine the financial requirements of public sector Institutions.
He also deliberately put aside the decision of the parliamentary forum of Senate Standing Committee on Education which in its meeting dated September 18, 2014 asked HEC to develop certain formula for funding to universities. The committee remarked “HEC should not unilaterally decide who should get what amount”.
The university autonomy was affected adversely with his policies.
Instead of playing a supportive role as per HEC mandate, there has been continuous unnecessary interference by HEC administration in internal affairs of public sector universities.
The report revealed that violating HEC Ordinance 2002 and ignoring the key recommendations/decisions of Steering Committee on Higher Education (2002) and Task Force on Improvement in Higher Education in Pakistan (2002), HEC was converted into an authority instead of a facilitative body. Countrywide protests by foreign/local PhD holders were reported against the discriminatory policies of HEC administration, as more than 1400 PhD holders also suffered due to delay in verification of degrees because of which most of them could not get jobs.
HEC has also failed in effective implementation of Prime Minister Laptop Scheme which was assigned to HEC. HEC’s leadership also faced allegations of irregularities in the laptop scheme for talented students, which is being probed by NAB (National Accountability Bureau), besides raising several objections over its process by Pakistan chapter of the global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.
The report suggested that ignoring irregularities and corruption increasingly observed at HEC any further may not only become a stigma on the reputation of the government but future of the nation will also be affected adversely. The reported illegalities since last 48 months may never have happened in the previous 12 years of HEC.
Based on the record, strong evidence and concerns raised from academia, students, faculty and vice chancellors along with other stakeholders, there is dire need to investigate irregularities committed during last years. These investigations must be conducted by NAB and the culprits brought to justice.
