Search committee

In Pakistan selection of a vice-chancellor of a public university is always a bone of contention wherein authorities look for a person who can humbly work under their thumbs. But in the recent past things have improved and the tradition of appointing a search committee was established to look for deserving candidates. Needless to say such a committee itself needs to be appropriately qualified for this critical job.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is appreciated for appointing an ideal search committee for the selection of vice-chancellor(s). As none of the committee members is from the province, therefore, the element of influence has been put aside. The search committee is headed by renowned scientist and ex-chairman of HEC, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman. But the reports coming from Sindh are quite depressing. The Sindh government has also commissioned a search committee which comprises MNA Azra Iqbal Pechuho who is the sister of ex-president Asif Zardari, Iqbal Durrani, who is son-in-law of Qaim Ali Shah, and Mazharul Haq Siddique from the HEC. None of them hold PhDs. Perhaps in Sindh merit does not mean anything to the rulers.
Masood Khan
Jubail, Saudi Arabia