By Dawn:

KARACHI: Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) chairman Dr Asim Hussain has expressed his inability to seek extension for a third term as the commission’s chief.

Dr Asim conveyed his decision to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during a meeting saying that a new SHEC chairman should be selected on merit.

According to a press release issued from Ziauddin University, Dr Asim said that he did not want to continue as the chairman, as he “worked hard and tirelessly with perseverance and commitment to promote higher education in the province but the mafia and certain political parties are not content and want him to keep out of their way”.

Dr Asim’s tenure as SHEC chairman had expired in January this year and he was allowed an extension until further orders till the nomination of a new chairman. A petition has already been pending adjudication before the Sindh High Court against the possible appointment of Dr Asim as SHEC chairman for a third term.