ISLAMABAD: Underlining the need to ensure implementation of uniform policies of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) across the country, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the education body to shut down all illegal campuses of private universities in the country.
At the beginning of today’s hearing, a three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Omar Ata Bandiyal ruled that universities are not allowed to set up their campuses outside their campuses.
The Supreme Court delivered the verdict while hearing a petition regarding non-issuance of degrees by HEC to students of illegal campuses of private universities.
The top court directed the HEC to issue degrees through a “special process” to pass out students from illegal campuses of private universities.
Students’ counsel Ali Zafar apprised the Supreme Court that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had earlier directed the NAB to take action against private universities.
To this, Justice Bandiyal ruled, “The HEC has powers; There is no need for NAB to investigate the matter.”
Ali Zafar said that the students had moved to the LHC for degrees. He said the LHC had declared the campuses of private universities illegal.
Upholding the order of the LHC, Justice Bandiyal said that the High Court has given the right decision on the basis of facts.
The court noted that the federal and provincial governments did not provide any co-operation to the HEC.
Justice Bandiyal said if the body is helpless in taking action against illegal premises, the SC will order the federal government to amend the law to empower the HEC.
He said that the apex court will not compromise on the provision of higher education to the younger generation.