PAC uncovers irregularities in HEC operations

Express Tribune

26-03-2025

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament on Wednesday discovered several discrepancies and irregularities while reviewing the audit paras of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
During the meeting, it was revealed that many students who received HEC scholarships for higher education abroad did not return. Additionally, buildings were constructed at Quaid-e-Azam University without obtaining approval from the authorities concerned.
The meeting was held with PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar Khan in the chair. The meeting was informed that 89 out of 92 Fulbright scholarships in the US were cancelled, while the HEC Executive Director said that 96 scholars remained in their host countries instead of returning.
The chair directed authorities to take action against students who travelled abroad on HEC scholarships but failed to return, stating that instead of studying, they took up jobs. He said that cases should be lodged against such students and their passports cancelled.
The PAC chairman also raised concerns about students being blackmailed for better marks, stressing the need for discipline in the grading system. He suggested that the same teacher who prepared the examination paper should not be responsible for grading it, as this practice enabled blackmailing.
Audit officials told the meeting that three buildings, including a girls hostel, were constructed at Quaid-e-Azam University without the approval of the building plan by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
On the audit objection regarding the delay in the establishment of the engineering facility at the Karakoram University, the auditor general told the committee that the cost of the project increased by Rs2.10 billion because of the delay.