LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led Punjab government is considering appoint former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif’s blue eyed Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin as Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) chairperson. According to sources, Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin who was one of his favourite educationists, and with whom he has close ties with, comes from a very strong political family, belonging to Gujrat and is considered very important for PTI led government in Punjab. Sources informed that Dr Nizam is using his political approach for getting a second tenure as PHEC chairperson. When asked, Punjab Higher Education Minister Raja Yasir Humayun confirmed that the government is considering giving extension to Dr Nizam. He replied, “We will interview all candidates in a transparent process. He can also apply.” Earlier reliable sources revealed that by reviving his old links with the political family of Gujrat and with the support of bureaucracy, a summary was moved for giving extension to Dr Nizam which will soon be sent to Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar for approval. According to sources, PHEC chairperson was appointed with the support of former CM Shehbaz Sharif as first Higher Education Commission chairman in 2014 despite of being on #4 in the short listed candidates. It is pertinent to mention that according to the short listed candidates in 2014, former Government College University vice chairman Dr Khaliq was on #1, Dr Zafar Iqbal Jaddon on #2 and Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi on #3 and Dr Nizam on #4. A CM Inspection Team report also highlighted several irregularities, favouritism and nepotism at wide scale at PHEC. The report also revealed the influence of Dr Nizam over public sector organisations for appointment of his favorites. Published in Daily Times, November 23rd 2018.