LAHORE: The Higher Education Department, Punjab, and the University of Okara have clarified a news report on the Punjab Assembly’s (April 5) proceedings wherein the issue of Sahiwal University VC was discussed.

According to UO, an MPA had raised questions about the nomination of Syndicate members in the Sahiwal University and questioned the additional charge of the office of VC of Sahiwal University given to the VC of University of Okara.

The MPA further demanded that permanent VC should be appointed in the Sahiwal University.

Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yassir Hamayun Sarfraz replied that the government would soon appoint a permanent VC in the Sahiwal University.

The UO said the acting charge for the post of VC had already expired as no one could hold it beyond six months under the university act.

An HED spokesperson further clarified that all universities were autonomous bodies and their VCs were fully authorised to perform their official tasks under the given regulations. He said the PHEC and HED acted only when some irregularities or allegations were placed before them.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2021