(Special Correspondent Media Hyde)
ISLAMABAD: Termination of higher education commission (HEC) executive director Dr. Zia Ul- Qayyum is stayed by Islamabad high court till next trial hence he is de facto reinstated. The court noted that he was also unlawfully dismissed and acted, contrary to Section 6(6) of the HEC Ordinance 2002.
The court pointed out in its ruling on July 31, that the notifications to remove Dr. Zia were not legally valid and any of their consequences would be kept suspended till further proceedings. All the former HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Acting ED, Mazhar Saeed, and others have been sent notices in the contempt of court case, and they have to appear in the next hearing.
Although the interim order of the court stated that Dr. Zia is free to resume office, credible sources reveal that he has not been facilitated to take position indicating that legal professionals are already raising serious concerns. They threatened that any interference or administrative stalling to perform the order of the court may translate as contempt of court.
The court underlined that any administrative obstruction even with regard to an active regime of interim order is a challenge to judicial authority. The observers have urged that the ruling must be complied with immediately to avoid legal ramifications.
Dr. Zia had contested in court that there was no transparency and due process when he was dismissed. The court accepted his position to be sensible and offered interim relief, which is the judicial conviction of his status.
Presently, Dr. Zia has been reinstated after Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed has served his term as the Chairman of HEC. The situation is tracked with close attention in the legal and academic circles, who insist the construction of the governance should take place through the rule of law, transparency, and the respect of the orders of the court.
