UMAR ATA BANDIAL, J.---We have heard the parties at length. The question in issue, namely, the setting up of sub campuses by a university outside the territory of its charter has been dealt by us in our judgment reported as Yasir Nawaz and others v. Higher Education Commission and others (PLD 2021 SC 745).
2. We notice that the impugned judgment by a learned Full Bench of the Lahore High Court has also adopted the same line of reasoning and has thereby approved the conditions laid down by the HEC for regularizing and concluding the activities of the Preston University in the Province of Punjab through its alleged sub-campus. According to the concise statement filed by the Government of Sindh, the statutory charter of the Preston University does not envisage the setting up of campuses out side the Province. The concise statement filed by the HEC informs that the alleged sub-campus to the said university was setup initially as a Tuition Centre and that the setting up of the sub- campus has not been authorised by the Board of Governors of the said university. In this respect, the HEC has been issuing alerts from time to time to the university's sub-campus at Lahore about its illegal status. However, rather than cooperating with the HEC the university has resisted efforts at inspection and has also been complicit in arranging attacks by students on the offices of the HEC.
3. With respect to the reference made to the NAB no action has been taken against the petitioners.
Presently that is an academic issue before us.
4. Consequently, in the light of our afore-noted judgment, the facts of the case, we find that the impugned judgment of the learned High Court has arrived at the correct conclusion and there is no ground for interference therewith at all.
5. During the hearing of the case, it has transpired that certain universities established in different parts of the country are maintaining sub-campuses outside the territory of their charter. According to the HEC such campuses are illegal. The learned counsel for the HEC informs that the only measure which the HEC can effectively undertake is to issue alerts. However, as vested interests are involved, the cooperation of the Provincial Government and the Federal Government is required to enforce the law governing the standards of higher education which the HEC monitors. In this respect the HEC has not received any cooperation from the Federal Government nor from the Government of KP in respect of sub-campuses that are operating within their territories.
6. We consider that the maintenance of uniform standards of education and the effective monitoring of such standards and curriculum by the HEC is essential for safeguarding the future of education of the youth of our country. In this respect, the Court endorses the all lawful acts taken by the HEC and directs the Provincial Government as well as the Federal Government to render their fullest cooperation in enforcing such measures and standards.
7. With the foregoing observations these petitions are disposed of.