' KHALID MEHMOOD, J.---Petitioner Muhammad Sadiq, Lecturer, Government College of Technology, Peshawar had challenged the Notification dated 12-6-2006 issued by the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar in writ jurisdiction before this Court.
This Court allowed the same to the extent of declaring the impugned Notification dated 12-6-2006 in respect of cancellation of admission of the petitioner as wrong, unjustified and against the principle of natural justice, whereas, dismiss the writ petition of the petitioner in respect of issuing directions to respondent No,2, to register the petitioner as Professional Engineer vide judgment dated 11-1-2011.
2 Aggrieved by the order of this Court, respondents challenged the same in Civil Appeal No,382 of 2011 before the august Supreme Court of Pakistan. The august Supreme Court after hearing the view points of both the learned Counsel for the parties, remanded back the case to this Court vide order dated 8-5-2011.
3. We have heard the learned Counsel for the parties and carefully examined the entire record with their, valuable assistance.
4. A perusal of record reveals that the controversy involved in the present case has already been decided by this Court after thorough probe and discussion through judgment dated 11-1-2011 dis- satisfied from the said order, respondents challenged the same in the apex Court. The apex Court remanded back the matter to this Court to determine as to whether the degree of B.Tech (Hons.) is equivalent to B.Sc Engineering/B.E. Degree. In response thereof, the Higher Education Commission vide his letter No,8-61/HEC/A&A/2013/721, dated 19-2-2013 held that both the degrees are not similar, but it can be considered as two distinct disciples in the field of Engineering and should run parallel to each other. For guidance sake, the relevant portions of the said letter as under:- "The degree of B.Tech (Hons) is not similar to B.E/B.Sc. Engineering decree. Both the degrees of B.E/B.Sc. Engineering and B.Tech (Hons) be considered as two distinct disciplines of knowledge in the field of Engineering and Technology and should run parallel to each other.
' It is further clarified that admission in a University for further education and determination of suitability in relation to job requirement rests with the concerned university/employing agency's and this Commission has no role in such issues."
5. Now, in such a situation the Status of a degree in the field of Engineering can only be decided by the Pakistan Engineering Council. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Pakistan Engineering Council produced the criteria for both the degrees i,e, B.Tech (Hons.) and B.E./B.Sc. Engineering, which is reproduced as under:- S# Query Comments for clarification Confusion regarding understanding the difference between Scientist, Engineer and Technologists.Scientist could be a professional of any discipline engaged in systematic activity to create/ acquire knowledge and use scientific methods towards a more comprehensive understanding of nature including physical, mathematical and social realms. Engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific engineering principles, knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems and innovate solutions. Engineers are focused towards applied sciences and their work in Research and Development, distinct from the basic research which is focused of scientists. The engineers work to form links between scientific discoveries and their subsequent applications to cater human needs. An engineering Technologist is a specialist devoted to the development and implementation of existing technology within a field of engineering. The work of technologist is usually focused on the portion of the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction and engineering operations functions. Engineers generally operate in conceptual design, innovate solution and product development, while technologist generally work in applied nature of jobs like testing, construction, field work, operations etc.
6. The Pakistan Engineering Council vide his own letter dated 17-2-2012 held that the B. Tech Decree is not equivalent to B.E./B.Sc Engineering as clearly stated by HEC, PEC, Courts but at par for special purpose as of all other professional degrees. However, the verdict of Pakistan Engineering Council is not clear that whether for further education the B.Tech degree is not equivalent to B.E./B.Sc: Engineering, because in the "said letter, the Pakistan Engineering Council has referred to the HEC, PEC and verdict of Courts that B.Tech degree is not equivalent to B.E./B.Sc. Engineering and in the same breath, it was admitted that B.Tech degree is at par with the ' B.E/B.Sc. Engineering for special purposes as of all other professional degrees.
7. We have gone through the letter issued by the Higher Education Commission dated 19-2-2013, there is nothing on record that the B.Tech (Hons) is not equivalent to the B.E/B.Sc. Engineering, though they have described that the B.Tech (Hons) is not similar to B.E./B.Sc. Engineering, but it can be considered as parallel to the degree of B.E./B.Sc Engineering. There is no dispute that both the degrees are of distinct disciplines of knowledge in field of Engineering and Technology, but for the purpose of service, seniority and promotion, they are considered equally, but the entire record produced by the Higher Education Commission and the Pakistan Engineering Council is silent regarding declaring the B.Tech (Hons) not equivalent to B.E./B.Sc. Engineering for the purpose of admission and further education. As earlier has been held by this Court in light of the prospectus of the question institution, wherein, the petitioner has got admission. In the said prospectus, the qualification for admission has expressly been prescribed as B.Tech (Hons) for the purpose of admission. The petitioner has got admission and nothing has been concealed from the respondents at the time of taking admission in the institution and there is nothing in black and white in shape of embargo/impediment for taking admission being not, equivalent to the decree of B.E./B.Sc.
Engineering. We have given sufficient time to the learned Counsel for the respondents to show an iota-of embargo through which it could be considered that the B.Tech is not equivalent to the B.E./B.Sc. Engineering for the purpose of admission but learned Counsel for respondents has failed to show any such embargo or impediment against the petitioner in getting admission in the questioned institution. Though only referred to the sort of, education, the subject prescribed for getting degree in the relevant field i,e, B.Tech (Hons) and B.E/B.Sc (Engineering).
8. The word "Equivalent" has been defined in Black's Law Dictionary as:--"Equal in value, force, measure, volume, power and effect or having equal or corresponding import, meaning or significance; alike, identical."
9. Whereas, the word "Parallel" has been defined in "Chambers 20th Century Dictionary" as:-- "Extended in the same direction and equidistant in all parts, analogous, corresponding, alongside in time, having a constant interval (major and minor being reckoned alike, a line of latitude and a tracing or statement of resemblances."
10. It is admitted fact that both the degrees relate to science in the area of Engineering under the Law. The only Competent Authority to declare the Status of the degree is the Pakistan Engineering Council, but as earlier discussed that the learned counsel for respondents has failed to produce any record through it can be ascertain that B. Tech (Hons.) is not equivalent to B.E./B.Sc. Engineering.
' 9(sic) In view of the above discussion, this writ petition is allowed in above terms. revisions by the competent authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the official sources or legal professionals for the most up-to-date and accurate information.