The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is set to conduct interviews on November 26 and 27 for the appointment of a permanent chairperson, a position that has remained vacant for four months. Thirty candidates will appear before the search committee.
Throughout the selection phase, several contenders are said to have been engaged in behind-the-scenes contacts, attempts to secure political backing, and the use of personal recommendations — practices commonly witnessed during major government appointments.
In contrast, the head of the search committee and Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has expressed strong resolve to ensure that this round is driven strictly by merit, transparency and fair competition.
Dr Siddiqui has made it clear that no pressure or undue influence would be entertained, and that decisions would be based solely on professional standards. Officials believe this stance enhances the credibility of the process, and builds policy-level trust.
Although 30 candidates have been shortlisted, experts view the real contest as being among a handful of prominent names: NED University former vice chancellor Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi, Quaid-i-Azam University VC Dr Niaz Ahmad, University of the Punjab VC Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, and Dr Ziaul Haq, who was recently appointed HEC executive director.
Other notable academics are also in contention, including Dr Madad Ali Shah, Dr Saleem Raza Samoon, Dr Habib, Dr Jamil Ahmed, Dr Ziaul Qayoom, Dr Haider Abbas, Dr Rubina Farooq, Dr Zahoor Bazai, Dr Basheer Ahmed, Dr Hassan Sher, Dr Zakir Zakaria, Dr Gul Zaman, Dr Hafiz Muhammad Aslam Malik, Dr Muhammad Tufail and Dr Bakht Jahan.
The HEC chairperson post had fallen vacant on July 29 following the completion of Dr Mukhtar Ahmed’s extended tenure. The forthcoming appointment is expected to play a pivotal role not only in ensuring institutional continuity at the HEC but also in shaping the future trajectory of higher education in the country.
