ISLAMABAD: 27, MARCH, 2021: Federal Government on Saturday has removed Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairperson Dr. Tariq Banuri before the expiry of his term. 

A formal notification of his dismissal was issued.

A notification stated that "In terms of sub-section (5), read with sub-section (5A), of Section 6 of Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002, as amended vide Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, Dr. Tariq Danuri has ceased to be the Chairperson, Higher Education Commission forthwith and is accordingly removed from the said post, with immediate effect". 

Banuri was appointed at the position by former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in May 2018 for a four year term and his tenure was due to end in May 2022. But according to a new presidential ordinance, the tenure of the HEC chairperson has been reduced to two years.

Recently, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had also launched an investigation against him for corruption, irregularities, mismanagement and appointment of consultants.

Meanwhile, an ordinance was issued to reduce the tenure of the HEC chairperson and dismiss him.

Banuri started his career as civil servant in Pakistan but then left for the US to pursue a PhD at Harvard and majorly served in the social and development sector abroad. (04)