The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is facing an awkward situation as it seems to have two executive directors (ED) at the moment.
Dr Arshad Ali, who had recently tendered his resignation, rejoined the higher education governing body on his own.
The HEC chairman is out of the country and the situation has led to confusion among the commission employees.
HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri has in a message told Dr All to desist from such behaviour or legal action will be initiated against him.
Dr Arshad Ali resigned as HEC executive director on Oct 21 amid allegations that he was involve d in plagiarism and his resignation was accepted by Dr Banuri.
The HEC chairman subsequently appointed retired Lt Gen Mohammad Asghar, a consultant on China Pakistan E conomic Corridor projects in the higher education sector, as temporary ED till a regular appointment can be made.
Mr Asghar had earlier served as a member of the commission and resigned last month. However, his resignation has not been accepted by the federal government yet and he was appointed as acting ED of the HEC.Dr Arshad Ali was asked by the commission to tender his resignation amid allegations of plagiarism in a research paper he co-authored and published in 2004. According to the HEC`s software, 80pc of the paper consists of the work of a foreign author.
Dr Ali resigned following the commission`s recommendations and the new ED took charge. However, sources say that so far, the HEC had not notified his resignation. The delay apparently provided Dr Ali with a chance to reconsider his resignation and he rejoined his office.
An official of the commission said Dr Ali spent all of Monday in the HEC. He came to work again on Tuesday.
Sources said Dr Ali had reconsidered his resignation because he was not satisfied with the way the HEC had handled allegations of plagiarism against him as he had denied the allegations.
After Dr Ali`s resignation, the HEC chairman had told the media that he had resigned in an honourable way in order to avoid prolonging his case and that the commission appreciated his sacrifice towards protecting the organisation from further controversy.
But now, the HEC has two EDs.
Dr Ali did not want to comment when contacted.
HEC spokesperson Ayesha Ikramsaid that on Oct 20, Dr Arshad All had submitted his resignation as HEC ED with immediate effect.
The resignation letter was received on Oct 21, was accepted by the commission and he was informed accordingly.
As a courtesy, [Dr Ali] was allowed to avail one month`s leave instead of being required to pay one month`s salary in lieu of the notice, Ms Ikram said through a press release.
She said Dr Ali appeared to have had a change of heart and submitted a letter on Monday, seeking the withdrawal of his resignation and cancellation of leave. He also showed up for work as demanded he should resume his service as ED.
She said that the HEC chairman, who is on ex-Pakistan leave, was informed of the situation. He has directed that while Dr Ali should be treated with all the deference and courtesy due to being a former colleague, he should be informed that his resignation was duly accepted and he is no longer an HEC employee, that his erratic and illegal behaviour was causing disruption in the functioning of the organisation and that he should desist from such behaviour failing which legal action will be initiated against him.
This information has been conveyed to him, she said.
