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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: The tenure of the current Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, will conclude on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, marking the end of his controversial one-year extension.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed has previously completed two full terms as Chairman of the HEC. Last year, he was granted an exceptional one-year extension, a move that was widely debated and criticized in academic and policy-making circles.
With only a few days left in his tenure, lobbying for the appointment of an interim chairman has intensified. According to well-placed sources, the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training is preparing a summary that includes the names of commission members eligible for interim appointment, as per Section 8(3) of the HEC Ordinance.
Under this legal provision, the Prime Minister of Pakistan — who serves as the controlling authority of the HEC — is empowered to appoint one of the current commission members as acting chairman for a period not exceeding three months. During this time, the controlling authority is also required to finalize the appointment of a permanent chairman.
Sources have confirmed that the list of potential candidates for the interim position includes Dr. Ihsanullah Kakar (Balochistan), Dr. Samreen Hussain and Dr. Sarosh Lodhi (Sindh), Dr. Sameera Rahman (Punjab), and the Federal Secretary for Education (Islamabad). The summary is expected to be submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the coming days for approval.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Education and Convener of the Search Committee, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, clarified in a recent media interaction that no further extension would be granted to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed. He further stated that meetings of the search committee have already been held to initiate the process of appointing a new HEC chairman.
It is worth noting that, in the past, Engr. Imtiaz Gilani and Engr. Ahmad Farooq Bazai were also appointed as interim chairmen under the same provision.
In an interesting development, sources also revealed that some non-commission members — including a vice-chancellor from a private university — attempted to secure the acting chairman’s role. However, their efforts were unsuccessful due to the explicit legal limitations laid out in the HEC Ordinance, which restrict the interim appointment only to current commission members.
As the transition looms, education experts and policy stakeholders are closely watching the government’s next moves. There is growing expectation that the interim appointment will be made transparently and efficiently, without unnecessary delays.
Moreover, all eyes are now on the selection of a permanent HEC chairman — a position considered crucial for shaping the future of Pakistan’s higher education system. Academics and analysts are hopeful that a capable, visionary professional will be appointed — someone who can align Pakistan’s higher education framework with international standards, improve governance, and strengthen institutional performance.
The upcoming appointment will likely influence the HEC’s direction on key areas such as research funding, university rankings, academic regulations, and international collaboration. With multiple stakeholders involved and lobbying already underway, the Prime Minister’s decision will be pivotal not just for the HEC, but for the broader academic landscape of the country.
