This was revealed by the HEC officials, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Training, which met with Abdul Nabi Bangash in the chair here on Wednesday. The Government reduced the HEC budgetary demand by Rs 10 billion in 2011-12, and further slashed the budgeted amount by Rs 9 billion. Besides this, the government announced 50 percent increase in salaries and pension of employees, but did not release Rs 4.6 billion under the recurrent budget during 2011-12. The government announced 20 percent increase in salaries and pension of employees in the budget 2012-13; however it has yet to release any amount in this regard.
Nasir Ali Member Operation HEC revealed that currently 3600 scholarship holders are studying abroad and getting $1200 stipend per month. Around 1600 students were awarded scholarships by the HEC to study abroad, however due to the financial crisis these students may miss an education year unless the government releases funds immediately.
After raising a hue and cry over the Prime Minister's directive to remove Executive Director HEC Sohail Naqvi, who wanted an extension, Chairman HEC surrendered to the decision of the Establishment Division. The committee expressed serious concern over the tussle on the replacement of Executive Director (ED), saying that the extension of the ED was illegal and was being politicised. Federal Minister for Education and Training Sheikh Waqas Akram said that the Prime Minister had given written orders that extension in ED HEC service was illegal. However these orders were not followed. He also lashed out at Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, former chairman HEC for blaming politicians for influencing or intending to take control of HEC.
HEC chairman Javed Laghari was taken to task by Committee Chairman for failing to distinguish between action and claim with reference to the replacement of the ED. HEC chairman said that the Parliament was supreme and has the power to amend or make new legislation. He committed to following the committee's advice in the matter of the ED's replacement. He added that there was no political intervention and that the PM was the controlling authority and his directives would be followed in this regard.
Afrasiab Khattak said that there is a clash between the HEC Act and Constitution. The HEC Act has become defective after the 18th constitutional amendment, which is evident from the federal cabinet decision of June 27, 2011 and the Implementation Commission draft law, which has been sent to the Law Ministry. The committee summoned Secretary Law Ministry to the next meeting to brief it on the draft law of Implementation Commission.
Sheikh Waqas promised the HEC officials that he would arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister to resolve financial issues being faced by HEC, which were also adversely affecting public sector universities. The committee also barred HEC from releasing Rs 200 million to a private university on the recommendation of Planning Commission, saying that there are no funds available to pay the salaries and pensions of public universities, so how could funds be released to a private university.