The Federal Government by notification in the official Gazette, established a Commission to be called as the Higher Education Commission. It was designed to be the body that would formulate higher education policy, plan for the improvement of higher education and research, allocate funds for operation and development of universities, set standards for the enhancement of quality of education and research, and work with the Government to ensure harmony with the overall objective of building a prosperous Pakistan.

The Commission is composed of eighteen (18) Members. The Chairperson, HEC and Executive Director, HEC are the ex-officio members of the Commission.  Meeting of the Commission are held quarterly in each financial year at such time and place as the Chairperson may determine.