ISLAMABAD - The issue of removal of the HEC chairman by the federal government has landed in the court of law and Sindh High Court has admitted a petition against removal of Dr Banuri as HEC chairman.

The court has issued notice to attorney general of Pakistan in this regard.

The Sindh High Court, while admitting the petition, has barred federal government from appointing a new chairman of the commission, which is being seen as a set back to the federal government as it was planning to initiate process for appointment of new chairman. The court admitted the petition against legality of the ordinance and subsequent notification to remove HEC chairman. The court has fixed April 1 for hearing of the petition. Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Dr Sania Nishter was likely to be inducted as member of the HEC and subsequently could be appointed as acting chairperson of the Commission.

Prime Minister office has urgently sought names for filling the vacant seat of member of HEC from Ministry of Technical education.

Following removal of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman Tariq Banuri by the federal government, now country's higher education body is without top leadership and being run through executive director who is on deputation only. Two members of HEC Lt-Gen (retired) Muhammad Asghar and AVM (RTD) Fiaz Aamir have resigned as members of the Commission, they have sent their resignations to ED. The govt had sacked Dr Banuri through an amended ordinance.