LAHORE, Aug 13: On the intervention of Governor Khalid Maqbool, the process for the selection of new vice-chancellor of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) has been halted for non-availability of a ‘suitable candidate’.

The four-year contract period of the incumbent Prof Dr Malik Husain Mubashar had expired in April last.

Sources told Dawn on Monday that a recently-appointed federal law officer had approached Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi for the selection of his brother against the post. Subsequently, on chief minister’s direction the provincial health department short-listed Prof Javed Akram and Prof Atif Kazmi of the King Edward Medical University and KEMU pro vice-chancellor Prof Muhammad Awais for the office.

However, the sources said the matter came into the knowledge of the governor who asked the chief minister secretariat not to consider any of the aforementioned professors as they did not fulfill the criterion for the coveted post.

The governor categorically conveyed to the CM secretariat that only a person of international stature could replace Mr Husain who would continue till the availability of such a professional, the sources added.

A senior doctor is of the view that extension in service of some of the existing heads of the institutions has been granted for their `sheer competence’ while the others manage to get their service period extended through connections at `right’ places.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has been demanding that the government must stop granting extensions as the practice hampers appointment of eligible people against coveted posts.

The association has already conveyed its concern in a letter addressed to the provincial chief minister and governor over the re-employment of KEMU vice-chancellor Prof Mumtaz Hasan, Allama Iqbal Medical College principal Prof Sibtul Hasnain and Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan,chief executive Prof Eice Muhammad.

The letter says: “The re-employment not only jeopardises the social justice but also denies promotions to those waiting in the long queue.”