LAHORE: Fed up by ‘unnecessary’ demands of newly-appointed vice-chancellor of the King Edward Medical University Prof Sultan Ayub Meo, the Punjab government has cancelled/withdrawn his posting order to initiate fresh process to fill the position.

The government took the decision to avoid further criticism by certain quarters, including the medical community, as the important post of the 150-year-old prestigious institute has been vacant for months.

After his hiring, Prof Meo (presently working in Saudi Arabia) put many demands to assume the charge. Each time, the health department sent fresh summary to the chief minister and showed maximum grace to accommodate him at any cost.

However, on finding him reluctant to assume the charge, the chief minister refused to entertain him further.

Prof Meo was appointed KEMU VC on Nov 22, 2017 for a term of four years after the chief minster interviewed a panel of three senior doctors.

The two other candidates were former acting KEMU VC Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan and Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, Chairman Prof Dr Farid Ahmad Khan.

In his first demand after his selection, Prof Sultan Meo had sought two-month relaxation to take charge of the new office. After two months, he sought more time and again failed to report. He did so four times and then moved the `strange’ request of mandatory four-month probation period exemption.

The government, however, rejected his request and gave him last warning to assume office or face termination of his appointment order.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2018