ISLAMABAD, June 8: The government has decided in principle to change the nomenclature of Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) from an elected and independent organisation into a "government- nominated agency" through amendment in the 1976 PEC act, Dawn has learnt.

The proposed amendments in the act would reduce the country's highest body of engineering sector into a government-owned institution, the source said, adding that it would empower the government to nominate the PEC's chairman and vice chairman.

The number of members of its executive committee would also be reduced to one-fifth of its strength for which elections would be held under the supervision of the government-nominated chairman and vice-chairman, the source said.

The government would also nominate the vice-chancellors of all the engineering universities and rector of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and other members, thus dominating the elected members through its nominees for decision-making in the council, he said.

The source also claimed that the charter of the council was also likely to be revised, and its major responsibilities relating to regulating engineering education would be taken out partially of its prescribed functions.

Ironically, this all is being done in contravention of a February 10, 2004 order of the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court, which had directed the Federal Ministry of Water and Power to hold elections to the posts of the chairman, vice chairman and executive committee of the PEC within two months, the source said.

The direction had come on a petition of engineers assailing the vires of the PEC (amendment) Ordinance 2002, under which its sitting elected office-bearers were ousted and Dr M Akram Sheikh was appointed as chairman for a period of two years. The government so far has failed to implement the order instead it has moved an appeal in the Supreme Court against the high court order, the source informed.