ISLAMABAD: With the incumbent Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairperson`s tenure set to expire on July 30,2025,theFederalMinistryof Education is yet to float an advertisement for the high-stakes appointment, raising fears that the delay would lead to adhocism in the country`s already faltering higher education sector.

On June 12, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a search committee, and the education ministry subsequently notified it on June 17.

`Now it is a race against time. A timely appointment is imperative to avoid adhocism,` said an HEC official, adding that the prime minister should look into the issue and ensure a timely appointment.

He said the HEC is already suffering due to the unresolved issue of the executive director`s (ED) removal.

In May this year, the HEC terminated the services of ED Dr Ziaul Qayyum, and acting charge was given to HEC AdvisorPlanning and Development Dr Mazhar Saeed. `If timely action is not taken to appoint a new chairman, we will have an acting chairman from next month,` said another HEC official.

Recently, a local court suspended the order for the removal of Dr Qayyum, who subsequently `tried to resume his charge but was not allowed by HEC management`.

The HEC management denied Dr Qayyum`s claim, stating that they would seek legal opinion first. Later, the HEC challenged the suspension order, and the court is set to hear the case on Thursday (today).

For the appointment of the HEC chairman, the eight-member search committee is headed by Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and includes Minister of State Wajiha Qamar, Special Investment Facilitation Council Apex Committee Secretary Jahanzeb Khan, Aga Khan University Provost Dr Anjum Halai, former University of Balochistan Dean Dr Muhammad Nasir Qureshi and the Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Education.HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, who previously served as a member and ED of the HEC, was first appointed in 2014 for a four-year term. His initial tenure ended in 2018.

In 2022, he was appointed chairman for a second term of two years, which lapsed in July last year. However, the federal government reappointed him for one more year, until July 30.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, in a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last year, raised concerns about the performance of the country`s higher education institutions.

He urged the prime minister to replace the HEC leadership with a new team possessing experience and a bold vision to tackle prevailing challenges.

In the letter, the planning minister highlighted that nearly two-thirds of Pakistan`s population is below the age of 30 and must play a pivotal role in shaping the nation`s future.

Mr Iqbal also regretted that the HEC had failed to achieve its targets. `This significant youth bulge presents both an opportunity and a risk. On one hand, itoffers the potential for a robust workforce that can drive development, provided these young individuals are equipped with quality education, good health and essential skills,` he said in the letter.

The secretary of education could not be reached for comments. However, a ministry official said the ministry will ensure the post of HEC chairman is filled as soon as possible. `The search committee has been notified,` he said.

Sources, however, said that once the advertisement is published, a minimum of three to four weeks will be given for candidates to submit their applications. The interview process will be followed before a shortlisted panel is finalised for onward submission to the PM Office.

`Since the matter is already delayed, I don`t think the search committee will be able to appoint a new chairman before July 30.

After the completion of Dr Mukhtar`s tenure, the PM could give acting charge to any member of the commission until a regular chairman is appointed,` said an HEC official.