ISLAMABAD – The selection board on Saturday shortlisted and recommended three names for the slot of Higher Education Commission (HEC) executive director to the governing body of HEC that is going to meet Sunday (today) to select one of them as ED.
Interviews of short-listed candidates were held in pursuance of orders of Supreme Court dated December 20, 2012 wherein the Commission was directed for recruitment/ appointment of new HEC Executive Director (ED) within 30 days.
Twelve candidates appeared before the board for interviews. The selection board short-listed the top three candidates and recommended their names to the 17-member HEC Commission, governing body, for the selection of one name for the appointment as ED.
Three names that have been selected include former HEC Member Operations and Planning and Deputy DG Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Quaid-I-Azam University Chairman of Biotechnology Department Dr. Zabita Khan and Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI) Pro-Rector Dr. Fazal A. Khalid.
The selection board has recommended the names to the Commission in the mentioned same order and five of the six selection board members are Commission members so, according officials, Dr, Mukhtar Ahmad is a top choice.
Former ED Sohail Naqvi who was the top most contender among the short listed applicants but he did not appear before the board for interview as his afresh appointment has been challenged in Islamabad High Court by the ywo employees of HEC Muhammad Mazhar Saeed, DG (Research and Development), and Fida Hussain, DG (Quality Assurance Agency).
The petitioners contended that HEC changed terms and conditions of the post contrary to what was mentioned in the advertisement giving the ED the status of a Vice Chancellor, instead of Management Position Scale without the approval of the controlling authority and did not re-advertise the post.
Although the deadline given by the Supreme Court has been passed and the Ministry of Education and Training has also suggested HEC to take time from the apex court so the selection be made following proper procedure that is still not clear, yet the Commission summoned Selection board and the Commission meeting on off days.
Questions have been raised over the selection process of ED and it has been challenged in IHC and the HEC Chairman has been asked to appear before it with relevant record on Monday.
Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Akhlaq Ahmad Tarrar on January 17 also wrote to the HEC Chairman that the proposed meeting to finalise the appointment of the ED may be postponed to the next working day to avoid any criticism.
He had also pointed out that the meeting for such a high-profile position should not have been convened through video conferencing on off days.
The interviews were conducted by the selection board dully approved by HEC governing board that is called Commission. All the selection board members attended the meeting.
The selection board was chaired by HEC Chairperson Dr. Javaid R. Laghari.
Other members included Federal Secretary Ministry of Science & Technology Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Acting HEC Executive Director Engr. Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani, former Senator and Commission Member Razina Alam Khan, Vice Chancellor of Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences Quetta Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University Lahore Sartaj Aziz and Director General HRM HEC/Secretary Selection Board Awais Ahmed.
Dr. Javaid R. Laghari said by Monday the compliance report will be submitted to the Supreme Court. He extended thanks to board members for their 100 percent participation and assisting in implementation of decision of Supreme Court.
The post fell vacant after the Prime Minister being Controlling Authority of HEC removed Sohail Naqvi terming his tenure extension as illegal granted by the governing commission.