LAHORE: Reliable sources at Higher Education Commission (HEC), Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training and search committee told Daily Times that there is a specific group of officials, politicians, vice chancellors and office bearers of different higher education related departments of different provinces who are trying to influence members of search committee through different channels including publishing media reports in their favour. The sources also told this scribe that the group has succeeded in appointing several favourite officers of HEC on higher posts who were not being allowed by the former chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, but soon after his tenure was completed and a search committee started working for the selection of a new chairman, his favourites started getting higher posts. The sources also told that the same group is involved in appointments of favourites which is trying to influence the search committee. In this regard, recently an officer who remained officer on special duty for the two last years has been appointed Director General Quality Assurance Division (QAD) immediately after the acting chairman took charge of his office. Farman Ali Anjum, who took charge as a DG QAD had already been blamed for presenting research papers in an international conference held in Jordan by hiding this from HEC officials. Sources told that Farman Ali Anjum didnot even bother to inform his office or senior officers regarding his research paper. Whether he did this deliberately or unintentionally, his act was illegal, sources added. Another important fact about newly appointed DG QAD was that he deliberately allowed a university to run its dual degree programme illegally just because his son was studying in that dual degree programme. However, according to HEC’s rules, both varsities have to get a No Objection Certificate from Accreditation Committee of HEC separately, but it was not done. It is worthy to mention that Dr Mukhtar Ahmad’s tenure ended on April 15. The government formed a committee in supervision of business tycoon Syed Babar Ali whereas other members of the committee included Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Dr Faisal Bari, Dr Sania Nishtar and Federal Education & Professional Training Secretary Akbar Ali Durrani. However, the committee shortlisted more than 100 applicants for interview and after conducting these interviews, recommended three names for the said post. However, several candidates used media to reveal facts of their rival candidates. Another important fact about the post of HEC chairman is that Dr Ahmed and current executive director and acting chairman Dr Arshad Ali are also candidates for the posts. Even though, Dr Ahmed had been accused of plagiarism for his lecture’s notes being taught at Virtual University. He was accused by another candidate Professor Tahir Rasheed. Published in Daily Times, May 7th 2018.