PU reply sought in equivalence dept case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday gave last opportunity to Punjab University’s counsel to contest a petition challenging functioning of equivalence department of the varsity.

Justice Atir Mahmood also observed that prima facie the functioning of equivalence department of the PU was illegal and unconstitutional. The judge directed the university’s lawyer to come up with reply on next hearing; otherwise, the court would announce its verdict. The hearing was adjourned until March 14.

Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued on behalf of the petitioner that the sole prerogative to recognise degree was vested with Higher Education Commission (HEC). He argued that Punjab University was exploiting students and had opened equivalence department by charging Rs1,000.

The lawyer argued that Higher Education Commission had the authority to recognise degrees under Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2002. It was also notable that already Higher Education Commission had filed para-wise comments against Punjab University in which it had stated the equivalence department of Punjab University was illegal.  He argued that the standards of higher education was a federal subject, hence the authority to recognise degrees was vested with Higher Education Commission, not Punjab University.