ISLAMABAD: A court bailiff on Friday helped Dr Ziaul Qayyum in resumption of charge as the executive director (ED) of the Higher Education Commission.

The ED was removed by the HEC commission in May this year. Later, the court suspended his termination orders. However, on June 30 the HEC management headed by then Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed did not allow him to resume charge, stating they would seek legal opinion first.

Later, Dr Qayyum filed a contempt petition before the civil court Judge Salman Badar, who in his order stated: “As perusal of written reply submitted by the respondents reflects the respondents have not complied with the order dated 28-06-2025 and 16-07-2025, rather they have tried to hide behind a plea that legal advice was sought in respect of the order, which was to be implemented.”

The court directed the bailiff to visit the HEC and implement the orders. The bailiff ensured implementation of the orders and Dr Qayyum resumed the charge.

In May, HEC governing body removed Dr Qayyum over ‘poor performance’ two years before completion of his four-year tenure

Meanwhile, the judge directed the responded to appear in person before the court on next date of hearing on September 6.

In May this year, the HEC governing body had removed Dr Qayyum from the position of the ED over “poor performance”, two years before completion of his four-year tenure.

The announcement was made through a brief statement, which said, “The decision was taken by the commission. For the interim period, Adviser (Planning & Development) Dr Mazhar Saeed had been assigned the charge of the office.”

It is relevant to note here that the ED and former chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar, who completed his tenure on July 29, were at loggerhead over several issues. Though Dr Mukhtar always denied any rift between him and ED and defended his position, the HEC commission terminated his service based on recommendation of the performance evaluation committee.

In May, before the commencement of the meeting of the commission, Dr Qayyum through an email had recorded his concerns on the commission’s meeting and stated: “Despite my categorical reservations, formally communicated via email on 28th April 2025, the chairman has proceeded unilaterally and in undue haste with convening this meeting without addressing the substantive issues raised by me. The decision to hold such a significant meeting virtually without prior circulation of a formal agenda further erodes the legitimacy of the proceedings and undermines the rights of Commission members to deliberate meaningfully and in good faith.” He also termed the decision “profoundly disturbing and contrary to the most basic tenets of justice”.

Meanwhile, HEC on Friday also issued charge resumption notification of Dr Qayyum, stating that when stay orders granted by court “does not hold the field,” the termination order shall stand automatically revived.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2025