ISLAMABAD: Long association of Dr Mukhtar Ahmed with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has come to an end as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed the federal secretary education as the acting chairman of the Commission.

The Ministry of Education on Tuesday issued a notification in this regard, stating that the prime minister had appointed the secretary as acting HEC chairman “for a period of three months or till the appointment of a regular chairperson, whichever is earlier.”

This decision comes into effect immediately, following the completion of Dr Mukhtar Ahmed’s second tenure as the HEC chairman on Tuesday.

Before becoming the HEC chairman in 2014, Dr Mukhtar had served as member and executive director of the HEC.

He was first appointed for a four-year term, followed by a two-year term in 2022, and then reappointed for another year.

“We are making efforts for early appointment of a regular chairman and soon advertisement will be floated in this regard.

“The search committee formed by the prime minister has been working in this regard,” said an official of the education ministry.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2025