<P> In 2010, the altering of Eighteenth Amendment, whose clause was directed to devolved the HEC, was strongly resisted by academicians, politicians, social activists, and media personality; a strong lobby for the protection of HEC was instituted by scientists, Dr. Atta - ur - Rahman and Dr. Javaid Laghari . Scientists and academicians from PAS held a nationwide conference in 2011 under the Presidency of Atta - ur - Rahman to gain public support for the protection of HEC at the public level . During this ongoing debate, the then HEC chairman, Javaid Laghari who was former technocrat Senator from PPP and President of a private university SZABIST as well, declared that the devolution of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) unconstitutional . Dr Laghari also went on a media and public speaking and OpEd writing campaign to save the higher education sector from the cluthes of politicians . The status of the Executive Director as equivalent to a Federal Secretary was taken away by the PPP government and its powers to approve projects through holding Departmental Developmental Working Projects (DDWP) of a value of upto to Rs. 100 million were also abolished, thereby greatly reducing its powers and effectiveness . While Dr Atta is known as the founder and builder of HEC, Dr Javaid Laghari is recognized by all academics as the one who saved HEC from devolution and disintegration . Today HEC owes its existence to both Dr Atta and Dr Laghari . </P> <P> Massive anti-PPP demonstration broke out in all over the country over this issue in 2011 and student unions gathered in the federal government installations to oppose the merger . In 2012, two petitions signed by Rahman, were filed before the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the devolution of HEC and to preserve the autonomy of HEC . The Supreme Court approved the petitions thereby preventing its devolution under the 18th amendment and guaranteeing its autonomy . the court issue verdicts against the government's decision . Ultimately, the Supreme Court rendered its verdict on a petition filed by Dr. Atta - ur - Rahman in 2010 to preserve the autonomy of HEC, paralyzing any efforts of government to devolve the HEC . </P>

Role of higher education commission in the development of higher education in pakistan