LHC declares NTS illegal body of HEC

Lahore,The Lahore High Court has declared that National Testing Service (NTS) as illegal and bounded the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to make sure that no private firm can organize the test until the NTS get legal certificate. After May 30 no academic institution or HEC recognized universities will consider the test of NTS for scholarships or admissions.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that respective university could avail the option to take part in the preparation with NTS and it will be taken as a private contractual arrangement under the respective institution’s law while the HEC will not participate in any arrangement with NTS while the extension has been given till May 30.  All the HEC recognized universities and institutions are not bound to follow the test and results of NTS for admission and scholarships. With a proper law and amendment in the ordinance the Higher Education Commission could be able to consider the tests by providing sound framework, checking and controlling to NTS.

The NTS can work as private body under the law to organize tests but now it cannot take the label as HEC approved National Testing Service.  The current contract with NTS and HEC recognized institutions can continue or may be revised by the respective institution under this order. The court order will not affect the previous admissions and scholarships granted on the basis of NTS test.

LHC stressed upon the orders and highlighted that present agreement of NTS and HEC will conutinu till May 30.  The court also ordered the HEC to display the order on the official website to provide guidance to public.

HEC Regional Director Nazeer Hussain and NTS Secretary Waqar Sami Khan both were present in the court. Representatives of several universities and colleges also supported the court on the recommendations on the position of private testing service.