PHEC chairperson's vacant slot poses challenge to govt.

Byline: Imran Gabol

LAHORE -- The post of the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) chairperson has been vacant for the last five months and the process to select the incumbent is unlikely to be completed soon.

Twelve public-sector universities in the province are also working without regular heads and the situation has led to academic and administrative problems. The vacant positions pose a challenge to the current government which promises to bring about reforms in the education sector.

The tenure of last PHEC chairperson Prof Dr Nizamuddin ended on Dec 16, 2018, and the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) secretary was given an additional charge of the post on Jan 11, 2019. The government later advertised the vacant position in January and the last date to apply was March 8. The additional charge of the post also expired on April 10 and currently the commission is without a head.

According to rules and a notification issued to the effect, the temporary charge was given for a period of three months. The Punjab Higher Education Commission Act 2014 says, 'If the office of the Chairperson is vacant due to any cause, the Controlling Authority may nominate any member of the Commission as chairperson for a maximum period of three months during which period the Controlling Authority shall appoint a chairperson.'

PHEC sources said the working of the commission halted and it was creating administrative issues without the appointment of its head. The chairperson is supposed to approve pending bills and payments, various projects and renewal of contracts of employees.

Earlier, the HED had shortlisted 15 candidates for the post of chairperson of the PHEC and would have to announce the date of interview. A five-member search committee led by educationist Dr Attaur Rahman and having other members -- Lahore University of Management Sciences' Prof Dr Arif Nazir Butt, Government College University's former vice chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab...