"Dr. Tariq Banuri has ceased to be the Chairperson, Higher Education Commission forthwith and is accordingly removed from the said post, with immediate effect," a notification by cabinet secretariat said.
In 2018, the then Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had appointed Banuri as the HEC chairman for a four-year term.
The education minister was of the view that universities should also asses whether they have the technical ability to conduct exams for all students as no one can be left behind.
Mahmood has said that the decision to hold online exams lies with the universities.