HEC service rules | FPSC screening tests

HEC still lacks notified service rules
Islamabad, Mar 30: Even after seven years of its establishment, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) still lacks notified service rules to follow legal procedure for the recruitment of new employees and promoting existing staff members.

The commission has become a headless body as there is no chairman at present and is headed by MNA Shahnaz Wazir Ali as in-charge nowadays. According to the 2002 ordinance, the commission could be headed by a reputed scientist or educationist.

The HEC was established in 2002, replacing the University Grants Commission (UGC), with a view to promoting higher education for the better future of the country. However, the commission lacks rules to resolve matters related to services.

"There are no notified service rules despite the fact that the Ordinance 2002, under which the commission was formed, clearly directed for framing and getting the rules approved by the competent authority, the sources said.

As per the HEC ordinance 2002, the HEC would have to follow the UGC rules until it frames its own rules, however, the practice is not being followed, the sources added.

Although the HEC commission is authorized to take decisions regarding the service matters, however it is bound to follow the rules and regulations approved by the Establishment Division.

The sources claimed that the fresh appointments as well as promotions made in the commission are merely done on whimsical grounds and against the directives of the Establishment Division.

An ESTA Code of Establishment Division reads as "where a cadre has definite quotas reserved for departmental promotions and direct recruitment, promotions against the departmental quota should be made first and the posts reserved for the direct recruitment filled later."

"At least 20 posts of BSP-17 have been filled without following the rules. Similarly 10 recruitments have been made in BSP-18, five in BSP-19 and all the posts over 19 are being filled by outsiders," the sources said.

The sources said that advertisements given for filling such vacancies are fabricated in such a way that they suit only those persons who are already proposed to be selected for the post.

The Establishment Division has also given clear directions for calling promotion board meetings at least twice a year, however, the commission has not called the same during past five or six years and has recruited and promoted people without following legal procedure.

The extensions to the MP1 (Managerial Personnel), MP-2 and MP-3 are being provided without the permission of the prime minister, who, by law, is competent authority to grant such extensions.

The sources said that this whole mess has badly affected the existing employees and officers of the commission who have threatened to approach the court if the malpractice continues.

HEC In-charge Shahnaz Wazir Ali said that notified service rules have so far not been framed by the commission but some amendments have been made in the rules and procedures introduced by the UGC in the past.

She said every promotion is being made in line with the rules and procedures, adding that the commission would soon be able to introduce its own set of rules.

To a question, she said, there has been shortage of funds due to economic recession that has become a global phenomenon, and it would take some few weeks after which every thing would fall into place.

Replying to another question, she said, some quarters have been constantly engaged in spreading speculations about the future of HEC, but "I categorically say that there is no such suggestion and the HEC would continue to work in future for the promotion of higher education in the country." The News

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Screening tests of FPSC from April 11
Islamabad: Federal Public Service Commission will hold Professional Screening Tests from 11-04-2009 to 13-04-2009 simultaneously at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Sukkur for various posts advertised in Commission's Consolidated Advertisement Nos. 17, 2008 to 18, 2008.

The admission certificates along with syllabi and timetable for tests have been dispatched to all the candidates by registered post and E-mail.

No candidate will be allowed entry to the examination hall without admission certificate.

For further details, the candidates may visit FPSC Website: www.fpsc.gov.pk or contact on Phone Nos. 051-9212331 and 9205075/241. Any change in the schedule etc. will be duly notified. app

FPSC director charged with sedition
Islamabad: Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) Chairman Lt Gen (r) Shahid Hamid has imposed 'compulsory retirement' with immediate effect on FPSC Director Fakhr-e-Alam on charges of sedition, subversion, gross misconduct, insubordination and leading an 'illegal' strike of employees.

A notification to this effect was issued on Friday and will be published in the Gazette of Pakistan Extra Ordinary: Part-III. According to the notice, the commission reserves the right to prosecute Fakhr-e-Alam under Section 5 of Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952.

It says that he has been proven guilty of criminal offences of disobedience, persuading others to disobey and absenting himself from work. He was sent on forced leave after the FPSC employees went on strike against the alleged corruption of the FPSC secretary on February 26, it says.

Fakhr-e-Alam was served show-cause notice on February 24 on charges of gross misconduct and inefficiency. Fakhr-e-Alam wrote a letter urging all senior officers to 'stand up' against 'evil doers' which resulted into a strike of FPSC officers and employees from February 26 to March 9.

The strike not only seriously hampered functioning of FPSC but also caused postponement of CSS Examination-2009. The FPSC termed the attitude of the director as 'rebellious'. Daily Times

UK varsity awards PhD to Pakistani student
Islamabad: The University of Manchester has awarded a Pakistani student, Shehzad Khalid, with a PhD degree in Computation after he attended the university as a regular student for four years in Manchester, says a press release.

The topic of Shehzad Khalid's research was 'Motion Classification Using Spatio-Temporal Approximation of Object Trajectories.' He is one of the few Pakistani students who have been awarded a degree in this specialisation by a well-reputed foreign university.

During his PhD, he managed to present and get published 12 of his research papers in reputed conferences and journals. He also presented papers at various conferences held in Ireland, England, Holland, Singapore and the US.

Shehzad believes that through this achievement, he has contributed his bit towards the improvement of Pakistani students' image abroad.

Earlier, after his preliminary education at Islamabad International Public School and Islamabad Model College for Boys F-8/4, Shehzad Khalid got his Bachelor's degree in Computer System Engineering from Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology, Topi. He completed his Master's degree in Software Engineering from National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Rawalpindi with CGPA of 4.0/4.0 - a rare feat on the NUST record, followed by earning a Higher Education Commission scholarship.

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A fake degree holder in NWFP Assembly
Peshawar: The Gomal University of Dera Ismail Khan has allegedly issued a fake degree to an MPA of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, elected on NWFP Assembly seat reserved for minorities.

According to the documentary proofs obtained, minority MPA Kishor Kumar son of Jod Lal, who had been elected on the MMA ticket to the NWFP Assembly, had obtained a fake B.A degree from the Gomal University DI Khan to meet the condition of holding graduation degree for making it to the provincial assembly.

The gazette of supplementary examination B.A Part-1, 1999 revealed that Kumar appeared in the examination as private candidate under roll No 1195 and failed in the political science subject while under the same roll number he was to re-appear in the English subject in the supplementary examination of bachelor Ôs degree in Part-11 in 1999.

However, the JUI-F MPA got B.A provisional degree along with DMC (detailed marks certificate) for the same examination wherein he was declared passed and with 237 out of 550 marks.

Well-placed sources, having close links to the administration block of Gomal University, said the provisional degree of Kishor Kumar did not carry signatures of some officials concerned.

The sources said that fake signature and seal of assistant registrar of the Degree Cell, Gomal University, were affixed on the BA degree of Kishor Kumar.

However, when contacted by phone, the assistant registrar of the Degree Cell, Gomal University, DI Khan, Hafizullah Khattak, didn't commit himself on the subject. He said that he could provide copies of the same documents provided a letter along with the required degree fee was sent to him. However, he noted that anything was possible in Pakistan, particularly in the education department.

Kishor Kumar, who has close association with the younger brother of Maulana Fazl Rahman, did not clarify his position when contacted on his cell (0333-9952089) time and again even when he was told about his alleged fake degree from Gomal University.

The administration of Gomal University DI Khan was earlier accused of issuing fake degree to a senior PPP leader, which was challenged by his political rivals in the court soon after general elections 2008.

AMC organises parliamentary debate
Rawalpindi: The Army Medical College (AMC) organised an inter-company parliamentary debate competition on the subject, 'Is the Human Race Really Progressing?'

Well organized by Lt. Col Khadija along with Bilal Munir and Safoora Naveed from final year MBBS as stage secretaries and participated by students of different company's and levels of study, the debate was of a high standard; lively and well argued by both the 'For' and 'Against' teams. In conclusion the motion was soundly rejected by a majority vote taken by a show of hands, which is food for thought for all of us.

Major General Safwan Majid Janjua was the chief guest. The panel of judges included Shehla Inayat; Ishaq Khan Niazi and Shahid Aziz (educationists) and Ishrat Hyatt (writer). While the results were being compiled, two students, Zeb Malik (4th year Ayesha Company) and Fareeha Gaffar (2nd year Fatima Company) recited poems they had written showcasing their talent, while Murtaza Zaman (final year Razi Company) entertained the audience with a few jokes.

The audience response to this light interlude was as vociferous as it was during the debate and it was a good feeling to see these young people taking such a proactive and positive interest in the proceedings. It gives us hope that the future of Pakistan is in good hands!

The chief guest presented winners mementos and trophies while the judges received plaques as a mark of appreciation. The winners were Nisar-e Fatima speaking for the motion and Jawad Qureshi against it. Runners up were Tauqeer Rahat (for the motion) while Muhammad Bilal and Sadaf Irshad.shared the honours for the 'against' argument. The overall winner was Ayub Company and the runners up Qasim Company. With the 'For' team mentioned first and the 'Against' team mention after them, the participants were:- Qasim Company: Mohammed Bilal (3rd year) Resource person Mohammed Azeem (2nd year) Asfandyar Yusuf (1st year) Resource person Usman Ali Abid (3rd year) Razi Company: Kamran Dar (final) Resource person Mohsin Khan (2nd year) and Majid Ali (2nd year) Resource person Aqib Nadeem (4th year) Sina Company: Tauqeer Rahat (final year) Resource person Uzair Khan (4th year) Sadeem Rizwan (2nd year) Resource person Usman Shah (2nd year) Ayub Company: Farhan Akram (2nd year) resource person Mamoon Mujahid (2nd year) Jawad Quereshi (2nd year) Resource person Abdul Wahab (Final) Ayesha Company: Nisar-e-Fatima (2nd year) Resource person Fatima Abbasi (2nd year) Saba Waqar (2nd year) Resorce person Amna Farooq (2nd year) Fatima Company: Ammara Iftikhar (3rd year) Resource person Sannia Khan (3rd year) Sadaf Irshad (2nd year) Resource person Anum Kahlid (2nd year) By Our Correspondent. The News

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