islamabad - The Senate Standing Committee on Education recommended the filling up of vacant positions in the Higher Education Commission’s governing body and lift the ban on appointments in the federal universities.
The parliamentary panel that met at Quaid-e-Azam University campus Thursday took exception to HEC’s alleged stubbornness for not holding commission meeting for the last one and a half year that has taken toll on varsities, higher education in country.
Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash who chaired the meeting said there has not been a single meeting of 17-member governing commission for the last one and a half year. HEC officials informed that it was because of shortage of members which was currently nine.
‘The availability of the members is the issue and next time we will ensure to hold the commission meeting’, the Executive Director  of HEC Mansoor Kundi replied.
Senator Najma Najam and Senator Ilyas Bilour suggested that membership of those remain absent should be cancelled. The chairperson directed the HEC to hold the next meeting in October and send the meeting minutes to the body.
The body also urged capital varsities and QAU to increase the quota for students of Balochistan and Fata. While Fata should not be considered part of Gilgit-Baltistan when allocating seats to students of these areas.
They also urged the ministry to resolve the issue of land demarcation of QAU with its administration and the civic body.
The committee members also censured the HEC  for not abiding by the promise to release funds to Bacha Khan University, Mardan.
“First the HEC was requested to include Rs 400 million for varsity in the Public Sector Development Programme 2014-15 which was vain attempt as not a single penny was allocated.
And latter the HEC promised to release Rs 100 million in May 2013 but till date only Rs 60 million has been released and that also in small trenches’ committee chairman said.
HEC ED Mansoor Kundi answered that a certain criterion and funding formula for allocations is being followed.
The varsities especially that are new one exceeding in recurring budget are not encouraged in its increase while a formula based on institution’s performance, number of students and other factor also matter in releases. 
The body also recommended the government to release Rs. 100 billion so that financials crises of the universities be resolved.