LAHORE: After a delay of around two months, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) finally got a regular vice chancellor (VC) for a term of four years.

With the appointment of Prof Javed Akram, the process of hiring a regular VC for all six medical universities has been completed.

Earlier, an official told Dawn, majority of the varsities were being run through stopgap arrangements. Particularly, the delay in appointment of a VC for UHS was affecting its academic and financial matters as well as entrance test for admission to medical colleges that was approaching fast.

The chief minister approved a summary giving a go-ahead to Prof Akram to head the UHS and the health department on Friday issued a notification in this regard.

The department had moved a summary to the CM comprising a three-member panel, including Prof Akram, Prof Syed Mohammad Owais and former Allama Iqbal Medical College principal Prof Mahmood Shaukat.

The search committee had recommended Prof Akram for securing highest marks in the interview session.

The official said Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar, while hearing a case, had given a deadline of two days to appoint the next VC for UHS, expressing displeasure over the two-month delay.

The appointment remained controversial from day one when the former health secretary before sending the three-member panel to the CM added a note stating that the decision could be taken in the light of an inquiry pending against Prof Akram. Even the CM showed reluctance to approve any of the three nominees owing to the controversial status of the panel.

However, he decided the case on the intervention of the chief justice of Pakistan, giving preference to Prof Akram, who assumed charge on Friday.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2018