PAC Slams HEC Over Rs 426M Research Fund Mismanagement, Unrecovered Scholar Debts, and Unauthorized Perks
Nadeem Tanoli
ISLAMABAD – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has come under sharp Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticism for major governance failures, financial mismanagement, and neglect in recovering millions in public funds. Audit reports for 2010–14 exposed irregularities ranging from an unapproved multi-million-rupee research program to illegal perks for top officials and delayed action against defaulting foreign scholars.
The most substantial finding related to the National Research Program for Universities (NRPU), under which the HEC spent Rs 426.221 million in 2012–13 without a formally approved policy. Auditors noted the absence of guidelines for awarding projects, determining the number of projects per investigator, or selecting project personnel. Without an approved framework, the authenticity of the expenditure could not be verified. Although the HEC later submitted an approved policy to the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) and secured a recommendation for settlement, the PAC flagged the lapse as a serious governance breach.
The committee also highlighted the HEC’s failure to recover Rs 9.7 million and more than USD 406,000 from 13 scholars sent to South Korea for training under an HEC program. All had signed bond agreements requiring them to work in Pakistan’s public sector for at least two years after returning. The audit found that none fulfilled this obligation, and recovery efforts were marred by delays so severe that seven cases became time-barred.
Further scrutiny revealed irregular payments within the HEC itself. One audit para cited the illegal use of Rs 1 million in public funds to pay for former HEC Chairman Dr. Javaid R. Laghari’s private Islamabad Club membership. While Rs 575,000 was recovered from his gratuity, Rs 425,000 remains unpaid despite 26 formal reminders.
The audit also noted that the HEC paid Rs 7.627 million in “Special Allowances” to its employees, despite Finance Division instructions restricting this payment to staff of Federal Ministries/Divisions—an administrative category the HEC does not fall under. This matter remains sub judice.
The PAC, convened by MNA Shahida Begum, directed the HEC to tighten its internal controls, accelerate all pending recoveries, and ensure that financial decisions strictly comply with government rules to safeguard public resources.
