LAHORE, Sept 12: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has started stopping funding for different individual research projects and academic pursuits in the Punjab University on the pretext of the crime committed by their colleagues.

PU’s institute of administrative sciences’ lecturer Sobia Khurram sought funds from the HEC to go abroad to attend a conference to read her research paper. But the HEC responded: “We cannot consider your request for grant until the issue of plagiarism in the PU is resolved.”

Federation of All-Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) President Dr Mumtaz Salik condemned HEC for punishing teachers and researchers for collective punishment.

He said it was strange that the HEC had started stopping funding even for research projects and higher education pursuits.

Dr Salik said the PU’s syndicate had taken decision on the plagiarism issue despite the fact that there was no law available to check the menace. He said the HEC had no right to interfere in the autonomy of the Punjab University and dictate its policies. — Staff Reporter