HEC ED Dr. Zia-ul-Qayyum granted major relief by IHC

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted relief to Higher Education Commission (HEC) Executive Director (ED) Dr. Zia-ul-Qayyum by suspending a sessions court verdict.

The HEC governing body had earlier removed Dr. Qayyum from his position over alleged poor performance, two years before his tenure was due to end.

Dr. Qayyum was appointed as ED in 2023 for a four-year term. The current chairman has served the HEC in various capacities before taking charge as its chief.

Justice Saman Riffat Imtiaz of the IHC on Friday issued a stay order, observing that the matter required further hearing before a final judgement.

The case will now be taken up on October 1.

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Following the order of an Additional District and Sessions Judge, Dr. Qayyum had ceased to serve as ED. The post of HEC chairman is also lying vacant after the completion of Dr. Mukhtar’s tenure.

Legal experts said the IHC’s decision provided significant relief to Dr. Qayyum, allowing him to continue his responsibilities until the final outcome.

According to sources, differences had persisted between Dr. Qayyum and the HEC chairman on several issues.

Dr. Qayyum’s removal was reportedly tied to delays in implementing the federal laptop scheme. Repeated attempts within the HEC to resolve differences between him and senior officials remained unsuccessful.

Following his dismissal, Dr. Qayyum raised questions over the legality of the process. In a letter, he alleged that he was neither given an opportunity to defend himself nor to respond to the charges.

He claimed the commission meeting was communicated to him through a late-night email on the eve of the session, which effectively denied him both attendance and secretariat support.

HEC officials, however, insist that the decision was taken in line with established rules and policies.