VCs, pro-VCs appointment: KP govt’s failure to implement varsity act triggers concerns

PESHAWAR: The academic community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has raised serious concerns over the provincial government’s failure to implement the Universities Act in appointing vice-chancellors and pro-vice chancellors in public sector universities. Despite recent amendments to the KP Universities Act, 2024, certain appointments continue to violate the prescribed criteria, sparking criticism from education experts.

According to the KP Universities Act, 2016, pro-vice chancellors must be appointed from among the three most senior professors who are either serving as deans or have previously held the position.

However, sources within the academic circles have pointed out that some of the current pro-vice chancellors including the University of Peshawar (UoP) do not meet these fundamental requirements. Their appointments, which were already questionable under the 2016 act, have become even more controversial with the introduction of new criteria in the recently amended act.

Minister for Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, has been actively pursuing reforms within the province’s universities and has pledged to resolve the crises faced by these institutions. However, the academicians argue that his first step should be ensuring that the Universities Act is enforced in its true letter and spirit. The appointment of ineligible pro-vice chancellors directly contradicts the rule of law, undermining the credibility of ongoing reform efforts.

They have also noted the political implications of this issue. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government has frequently criticised the federal government for allegedly bypassing judicial norms.

In this context, they say that enforcing legal provisions within KP’s jurisdiction would strengthen PTI’s position by demonstrating a commitment to upholding the rule of law.Academics and legal experts are now urging the higher education department to rectify these violations and ensure that future appointments strictly adhere to the provisions of the KP Universities Act. As reforms continue, the government’s credibility in managing higher education institutions will largely depend on its adherence to the very laws it has enacted, a senior professor said.