Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad hosted a webinar titled ‘HEC Travails part-1’ on 25th May,2021. Professor. Pervaiz Hoodbhoy, Nuclear Physicist and activist with Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice- Chancellor Lahore University of Management Sciences along Dr. Anita M. Weiss Professor Department of Global/ International studies, University of Oregon and Professor Iqrar Ahmad khan, Ex-Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The session was moderated by Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Vice-Chancellor, PIDE. Professor Pervaiz criticized the role of HEC. He expressed that HEC is at the bottom list in regional countries and HEC Reward program that started in 2002 is now the most politicized and corrupt program in the country. Pervaiz further mentions that in 2001 Pakistan got 1200% higher amount of budget from USA, which contrary to common belief, guided Pakistan in the wrong direction and pushed us at the edge of disaster. Professor Pervaiz further suggested that the reward should be given to the competence and not just the research.