HEC Responds to Dr. Tariq Banuri's Allegations of Favoritism in Fund Allocation

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has dismissed Dr. Tariq Banuri's claims that public universities are given special privileges while receiving funds. While in a recent television interview, Dr. Banuri alleged that in his absence, the set criteria for funding allocation was not followed and that some universities were chosen over others.

The HEC, on the other hand, stated in an official statement that Dr. Banuri attempted to portray the special supplementary grant given to financially distressed universities, which was provided after Peshawar High Court (PHC) orders and all necessary approvals, as favoritism toward these institutions.

According to the HEC, funds given by the federal government to public sector universities have been distributed according to the authorized financing formula. The HEC claimed that the decision was made after consultation with the Vice-Chancellors of all public institutions, as mandated by the PHC, and that it was made following consultation with the Vice-Chancellors of all public universities.