SC seeks record of all private universities

LAHORE — The Supreme Court on Saturday sought record from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) regarding all private universities across the province of Punjab and their sub-campuses and affiliated colleges.

The court also ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to hold an inquiry into the irregularities committed by the University of South Asia in granting affiliation to colleges.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, issued the orders while hearing a suo motu notice regarding non-issuance of degrees to students of an affiliated college of the University of South Asia.

During the hearing, a Higher Education Commission (HEC) official told the bench that the said university was established in 2005.

The university was barred from giving affiliation to colleges or opening sub-campuses for 10 years. However, it violated the order and gave affiliation to colleges, he added. He said that notices were issued to the university, but it did not take any action in this regard.

University Vice-Chancellor Imran Masood informed the bench that admissions were closed after 2016, and the admission process was started after completion of the restriction period. He further submitted that chancellor’s approval was required for opening new campuses, but not for giving affiliation to