HEC chairman Dr Tariq Banuri has been removed

Dr. Tariq Banuri has been formally removed as the HEC chairman before the expiry of his term.

He was appointed in May 2018 by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for a four-year term. His tenure was due to end in May next year.

There were complaints against him, accusing him of running the HEC. Dozens of consultants were recruited on hefty salaries of directors. Some of whom were not only retired but also just graduates.

Recently, the National Accountability Bureau had launched an investigation against him for corruption, irregularities, mismanagement, and appointment of consultants.

Meanwhile, an ordinance was issued to reduce the tenure of the HEC chairman and dismiss him.

A senior member of the HEC board or Executive Director will now be appointed the acting chairman. After which a permanent appointment will be made to the post through advertisement.

Educationists and experts have criticized the government’s move saying it would further damage the already shattered system.

Dr. Adil Najam, Dean, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University, slammed the authorities on his removal. He also said Dr. Tariq Banuri is being bullied out by pygmies for trying to mend a broken system. He said that the ordinance will further wreck an already shattered system.

 

Dr Tariq Banuri has been an honest, well qualified, competent Chairman of @hecpkofficial

I’m sorry to see him leave & wish him all the success for what he does next.

With this treatment at the hands of politicians, can we still attract top candidates for the HEC Chairman post? pic.twitter.com/IS4gbX3udh

— Asghar Zaidi (@zaidia) March 27, 2021

Asghar Zaidi also lashed out at the federal government on the development. This government has devoured many competent people and spit them out. But none were so qualified or so effective as was Dr. Tariq Banuri.