The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended an order issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), observing that the commission does not have the legal authority to handle employment and service matters of faculty members and staff at chartered universities in Pakistan.
Justice Jawad Hassan issued the interim order while hearing a petition filed by a private university challenging the commission’s interference in its internal administrative matters.
The university, established under the Times University Multan Act, 2020, argued that its employees’ service matters are governed by its own Employees Service Regulations, 2022.
The university’s lawyer maintained that the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002, allows HEC to promote and improve higher education and research through policies and guidelines but does not authorize it to interfere in the internal administration or employment matters of chartered universities.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Jawad Hassan suspended the disputed HEC order, observing that the university’s claim regarding the commission exceeding its legal authority appeared to carry considerable weight.
The court admitted the petition for regular hearing and issued notices to the respondents for December 10. It also directed the relevant authorities to submit a report and detailed comments within four weeks.
Additionally, a senior HEC official familiar with the case has been directed to appear before the court at the next hearing and explain the commission’s position.
