ECP declines to okay extension of Dr Akbar Zaidi as IBA head

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has declined to give approve to a decision of the provincial caretaker government to extend the tenure of Dr Akbar Zaidi, executive director of the Institute of Business Administration Karachi. His first four-year tenure will end on January 12, 2024.

The Sindh government had written a letter to the ECP a month and a half ago, requesting another four-year tenure for Dr Akbar Zaidi, but the request has now been declined by the commission.

Earlier, in a summary sent by Chairman Sindh Higher Education Commission Dr Tariq Rafi and Secretary Boards and Universities Department Noor Ahmed Samoo, two suggestions were given to Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar that Dr Akbar Zaidi’s tenure should be extended for another four years or approval should be given to advertising for the appointment of a new executive director.

The CM, while approving the first part of the summary, had extended the tenure of Dr Akbar Zaidi for another four years and made his appointment’s notification subject to the approval by the ECP.