Despite completion of process: Govt dragging feet to appoint VCs of three varsities

PESHAWAR: The vice-chancellors of three public universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not be appointed despite completion of the process and following formal approval accorded by the competent authority to the selected candidates.

The inordinate delay in appointing the regular vice-chancellors has adversely affected the administrative and academic functioning of the universities and caused uncertainty among the teaching and non-teaching staff. The Agriculture University Peshawar and University of Haripur are the worst affected institutions that have been functioning under caretaker setup for the last nearly one-and-a-half year. The case of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) Peshawar is unique as its incumbent Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Razia Sultana was first given extension until appointment of a fulltime vice-chancellor and her name was subsequently approved for another term of four years after the completion of the process.

The final notification could not be issued even after the approval by governor/chancellor of public sector universities. This time the delay is being made due to a stay order by a district court, sources told The News. The three names approved for appointment as vice-chancellors are Dr Jan Bakht for the Agriculture University Peshawar, Dr Anwarul Hassan for University of Haripur and Dr Razia Sultana for SBBWU.

Fed up with the long delay in the appointment of vice-chancellor, the employees of Agriculture University Peshawar broke their silence and announced to launch a protest campaign. They also formed an action committee under the chairmanship of Dr Sartaj Alam, the president of Agriculture University Teachers Association. A joint meeting of all the employees associations held on Tuesday with Dr Sartaj Alam in the chair set a deadline to the provincial government to ensure appointment of regular vice-chancellor on merit till Friday or else they would launch complete strike from next Monday. Talking to The News, Dr Sartaj Alam criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government for its inability to appoint vice-chancellors of universities. “If the government cannot appoint vice-chancellors what change it would bring?” he questioned.

He said that adhocism in the Agriculture University has created serious problems. He said that the appointment of the current vice-chancellor as pro-vice-chancellor and dean was also illegal. He said more than 50 appointments were made in the university during the last one year without advertising the positions. “These appointments are illegal and the government should take notice of it,” he said.