Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah by taking the notice of a news story of ‘The News’ regarding retired educationists working as Pro-Vice Chancellors in different universities of province directed the ‘Sindh Universities and Boards Department’ to immediately remove these retired persons from their positions in the light of rules and Supreme Court orders.
According to the sources of ‘Sindh Universities and Boards Department’, following the orders of CM Sindh, it was directed to the authorities of all universities of Sindh by the Department that after removing these retired professors, names of in-service educationists will be recommended for the positions of Pro-Vice Chancellors.
The news story was published on December 8, with the heading of “eight retired professors serving as Pro-VCs of Sindh varesties” in this newspaper. These appointments were contradicting Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws and Supreme Court decision.
According to the official documents, Dr Aslam Parvez Memon was retired from his basic job on October 15, 2018 and is continuing as Pro-VC of Sindh University’s Naushero-Feroze campus. Professor Dr Khawar Jamali of Dow University of Health Science was retired from his actual job on May 19, 2018 and is still continuing as Pro-VC of same institute. Dr Zaarnaz Wahid was retired on April 7, 2018 and Dr Kartar Dewani on April 9, 2019 but they are still enjoying the position of pro-VC in same university of Dow University of Health Science.
Professor Dr Shamsdin Shiekh was retired on January 9, 2017 but still working as Pro-VC of Peoples University of Medical and Health Science for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad. Dr Lubna Ansari who was appointed on contract which expired on November 28, 2017 is still enjoying the position of Po-VC of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi.
Professor Dr Roshan Din Rashidi retired from his original job on August 2, 2017 and still continuing as Pro-VC of Dawood Engineering University Karachi. Professor Dr Muneer Ahmed Junejo was retired on November 13, 2015 and is still working as Pro-VC of Liaqat University of Medical and Health Science.
These appointments are in contradiction with rules of appointment described in ‘The Sindh Universities Laws (amendment) Act 2013, section 13 (appointment of Pro-Vice Chancellor) which says “the Pro-VC shall be eminent academic and a distinguished medical professional appointed by the Chief Minister from amongst University Professors for the main campus or of the additional campus”.
They are in contradiction with Supreme Court order in original petition of 89/2011, 175/2011 and Civil Review petition no 193/2013 that declared that no retired officer of any department could be rehired in same or other department and no extension would be given to retired officers. In pursuance of said order of apex court, some 2000 officials of different government departments serving after their retirements and some 69 officials from professors to low grade were sent back home by cancelling their re-hiring contracts.