ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed on Tuesday got one year extension as he had completed his two-year tenure last week.

After approval by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister Office on Tuesday sent a letter to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training informing it that the prime minister has granted one year extension to Dr Mukhtar.

“Re-appointment of the Chairperson of HEC…The Prime Minister is pleased to approve the re-appointment of Dr Mukhtar as Chairperson HEC for a period of one year with effect from 30th July,” read the letter issued by Asad Rehman Gilani, Secretary to Prime Minister.

Dr Mukhtar was appointed in July 2022 by the PDM government for a two-year tenure. Before this posting, he had also served as HECChairman during 2014-18. Under the PTI government, the tenure of the HEC chairman was reduced from four years to two years through an ordinance.

This change was apparently made to remove then Chairman HEC Dr. Tariq Banuri, who was removed prematurely by the PTI government.

Later on, the ministry of Federal Education, which remained failed in making timely appointment of new Chairman HEC, moved a summary to PM office for re-appointment of Dr Mukhtar for further two years. During the last one week, the HEC works without any chairman, however, finally, PM allowed one year tenure to Dr Ahmed.

“For appointment of new chairman after completion of this one year tenure of Dr Mukhtar should be started well before time to complete it in July next year when, he will complete extended one year time. This is unfortunate that education ministry has failed to make timely appointment,” said an official. He said that like HEC, the post of director general of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) is also lying vacant since July last year as ministry could not complete the process of new DG.

The post of DG FDE is grade 21 position and for the last many months, a grade 20 officer is looking after the affairs of this office on look after charge and now the ministry is making effort for his re-appointment.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024