The Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the HEC’s notifications, which had suspended the admission process at Isra University’s main campus in Hyderabad and its Karachi and Islamabad campuses through executive orders dated October 28, 2024, and February 13 and 17, 2025.
In its ruling, the IHC stated, “The operation of the impugned notices dated February 13 and 17 shall remain suspended.” The court also issued notices to the HEC, its executive director, and the director of accreditation and global engagement, scheduling the next hearing for April 22.
The petitioners, Isra University and its Vice-Chancellor Ahmed Kazi, represented by counsel Makhdoom Ali Advocate, sought to quash the three HEC notices. They argued that the HEC violated Section 10 of the HEC Ordinance, 2002, by issuing the notices, effectively stalling the university’s operations.
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The university argued that the HEC exceeded its authority by suspending the admission process without proper authorization. Additionally, the IHC’s order suspended the HEC’s February 13 announcement, which declared degrees issued to students enrolled in the Fall 2022 semester unrecognized.
A spokesperson for Isra University stated that the court’s decision affirms students’ rights and the university’s ability to continue its educational programs without external interference.
In a February 17 letter to Vice Chancellor Ahmed Kazi, Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Executive Director of the HEC, highlighted significant concerns regarding Isra University’s governance. He pointed to internal disputes, operational challenges, and issues related to the composition of the Board of Governors.
Dr. Qayyum questioned the university’s strategic direction, financial stability, policy formulation, academic standards, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. He emphasized that these challenges could undermine the institution’s governance and academic integrity.
