Daily Times

The federal government and Higher Education Commission (HEC) has not taken action against HEC Executive Director Arshad Ali despite the findings of various committees that most of the papers and publications referred to in his CV are plagiarised.

The Performance Evaluation Committee of HEC that evaluated the performance of MP -1 officers in their meetings, recommended that as per HEC plagiarism policy, punitive action must be taken by terminating Dr Arshad Ali’s services.

The findings of the meetings of the committee held on February 12, 2018 and February 23, the committee recommended that there is major plagiarism in the paper referred in the news item and other papers mentioned above. The committee recommends major penalty against the authors as HEC plagiarism policy.

During the process, 11 major papers were also reviewed by Quality Assurance Division and found in them high similarities index.

Keeping in view the recommendations of the HEC Plagiarism Standing Committee (PSC) and Performance Evaluation Committee, it was imperative to implement the decision of termination of contract.

A committee comprising of nine vice chancellors from major universities of the country was constituted to further review the process and provide an opportunity of personal hearing to Dr Ali.

After three consecutive meetings and reviewing the three sample papers out of 26 alleged papers major plagiarism was established.

The hearing opportunity was also provided to Dr Ali during the fourth meeting of the high powered committee held on April 12. After reviewing the relevant papers, findings of the expert committees, HEC PSC and outcomes of personal hearing, the committee agreed and endorsed the findings that major plagiarism is committed.

Sources said that HEC meeting is going to be held on October 19 and October 20 in which important decisions will be taken.

HEC former chairman Dr Mukhtar informed that Federal Education & Professional Training Ministry former secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani has said that major plagiarism has been proved on Dr Ali.

When contacted, Federal Education & Professional Training Minister Shafqat Mahmood said that he would discuss this matter with HEC Chairman Tariq Banuri.

Published in Daily Times, October 18^th 2018.