Rejecting the Punjab government’s decision, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Monday made it clear that colleges could not be affiliated with the private universities, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The HEC stated emphatically that it, and not the government of Punjab, was authorised to take any decision with respect to private universities and that admissions would be allowed into the sub-campuses of only those universities recognized by the commission.

The HEC asserted that its power to allow the opening of a private university or affiliation of any college with it was guaranteed by the law.

The Punjab cabinet had okayed the policy of affiliation of colleges with private universities some time back.

The commission also made it clear that it would not recognize the degrees awarded to students by such colleges.

It further said that private universities were closed in the past on account of mismanagement and irregularities.

Reporter: Akmal Soomro