ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) has suspended 18 health educational institutions of Islamabad due to not holding NOCs. Commission has public names of these institutions on directives of Pakistan Information Commission (PIC). These institutions include Bashir Institute of Health Sciences, Comwave Institute of Science and Information Technology, DAKSON Institute of Health Sciences, Institute of Health and Management Sciences, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, HBS Medical and Dental College, NOVA Institute of Modern Studies, PACE and KEDGE Institute of Health sciences, PHR Institute of Health Science, Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Yusra Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Prime Institute of Health Sciences, NCS Institute of Sciences, Aman Medical Institute, KMU Institute of Health Sciences, Margalla Institute of Health Sciences, Madiks Institute of Health Sciences and Health Aid College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Decision comes in response to an appeal filed by citizen Anwar Ud Din, who sought copies of suspension orders prohibiting new student admissions in affected institutions, said press release.

Initially, HEC refused to share information, claiming it would negatively impact their standing and breach privacy of institutions. However, during PIC hearing, HEC representative,  Hammad Bin Saif admitted that suspension orders were issued due to ongoing policy development requiring temporary halt to admissions.

PIC rejected HEC’s arguments, stating “Order about suspending institutions working without NOC is an order of HEC hence it is not an information of third party as pleaded by HEC.”

Commission directed HEC to provide copies of suspension orders to appellant within 10 working days, warning of penalty proceedings for non-compliance.

Furthermore, PIC emphasised importance of finalising new affiliation policy at earliest to ensure proper governance in higher education sector.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 05 2024

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