IHC reinstates Dr Tariq Banuri as HEC chairman

The Islamabad high Court (IHC) has reinstated Dr Tariq Banuri as Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The IHC issued the reserved verdict that the removal of Dr Banuri did not meet as per the criteria with the HEC Amended Ordinance.  

Last year in March, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Tariq Banuri was removed from his post a year before the expiry of his term through an ordinance and notification that reduced his tenure from four years to two years.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi appointed Dr Banuri in May 2018 for a four-year term and his tenure was due to end in May 2022.

A notification issued by the Establishment Division reads, “In terms of sub-section (5), read with sub-section (5A), of Section 6 of Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2002, as amended vide HEC (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, Dr Tariq Banuri has ceased to be the Chairperson, HEC forthwith and is accordingly removed from the said post, with immediate effect.”

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani