HEC Seeks Government Intervention to Address Funding Delays

Sep 4, 2024 - 21:12
HEC Seeks Government Intervention to Address Funding Delays

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has reached out to federal ministries to resolve funding issues affecting its Public Sector Development Projects (PSDPs). The commission is facing significant delays in receiving allocated funds for its projects for the fiscal year 2024-25, which threatens to disrupt their implementation.

According to an anonymous source quoted by Hum News, discussions with the federal government have been promising, and HEC officials are optimistic that the necessary funds will be released soon. The HEC has formally communicated with the Ministry of Planning and Development and the Ministry of Finance regarding the delay, which has impacted the commission's ability to pay the salaries of over 150 employees working on these projects.

In a statement to Hum News, HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed expressed hope that the funds would be released shortly. He indicated that while the initial release was expected last month, bureaucratic hurdles had caused the delay. Dr. Ahmed assured that the HEC is in ongoing talks with the Ministry of Planning and Finance and expects a resolution within the week.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized the critical role of these development projects in enhancing educational standards, underscoring that education is fundamental to national progress and prosperity.

The HEC oversees 137 ongoing development schemes with a budget allocation of Rs. 39,676 million for the fiscal year 2024-25. Additionally, the government has earmarked Rs. 21,438 million for 20 new projects this year. These new initiatives include:

  • The Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad Khan Centre in Basic Sciences

  • The Higher Education Development Programme of Pakistan (HEDP)

  • The PAK-USAID Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Program (Phase-II)

  • The Dr. AQ Khan Institute of Metallurgy and Emerging Sciences

  • Strengthening lab facilities at five major engineering universities: UET Peshawar, Taxila, Lahore, Khuzdar, and NED Karachi

  • Establishing the National Cyber Security Academy (NCSA)

  • Creating the China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre (CPJR) on Earth Sciences at QAU, Islamabad

  • The Institute of Science & Technology, Bahawalpur

  • The National Centre of Nano-Technology

  • The National Centre of Quantum Computing

  • The Manufacturing Technology, Automation, and Innovation Center

  • The National Centre for Brand Development

  • The National Growth Centre

  • Bayt-ul-Hikmah at NUML

  • The Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme

  • Completing the Chotagala Campus of the University of Poonch Rawalakot with funding from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED)

  • Establishing the National Institute of Intelligence and Security Studies (NIISS) at QAU, Islamabad

  • The Prime Minister’s Youth Internship Programme

  • Constructing a Girls’ Hostel at the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design

The resolution of these funding issues is crucial for the successful execution of these projects, which are pivotal for advancing Pakistan’s higher education infrastructure and supporting the academic and professional development of students and researchers.