HEC bars SZABMU acting VC from making appointments

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has directed the acting Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU), Islamabad, to immediately stop all recruitment processes and restrict his responsibilities to routine administrative affairs, until a permanent vice chancellor is appointed.

In a letter addressed to Prof. Dr Moosa Khan, Acting VC of SZABMU, HEC Chairman Prof. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed cited instructions from the President of Pakistan — who serves as the chancellor of all federally chartered public sector universities — emphasizing that acting vice chancellors must refrain from making any major policy or administrative decisions, including appointments, promotions, or transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff. “The Higher Education Commission has repeatedly advised acting Vice Chancellors across the country to restrict themselves to day-to-day affairs… Your office is hereby advised to immediately suspend any ongoing recruitment processes,” read the letter dated April 7, 2025.

The HEC directive comes amid concerns about potential legal complications if key appointments are made under interim leadership. Similar instructions were also recently issued to the acting heads of COMSATS University Islamabad and the International Islamic University Islamabad. Following the letter, officials at SZABMU confirmed to The News that all recruitment activities have been halted.

On the other hand, the interview panel, formed under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was also holding the health portfolio at the time, included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU) Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq, and Prof. Dr. Waqar Ajmal. However, officials in the health ministry contend that the panel was expected to include the ministers and secretaries of health and education as per standard procedure. Out of approximately 60 applicants, 14 were shortlisted and interviewed by the panel. Four names were finalized and sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval, with Prof. Dr. Tanvir Khaliq emerging as the top candidate. Officials said final scrutiny of the shortlisted candidates is currently underway, and a notification regarding the new appointment is expected soon.