LAHORE: A conflict has started brewing between the Punjab government and the governor/chancellor regarding appointment of VCs in public sector universities of the province.

Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan raised concerns over corruption allegations involving top candidates for VC positions while Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari reminded him of his “limited role” in the selection process. Twenty-five public universities have been working without regular VCs for the last two-and-a-half years.

In an interview with a private TV channel, the governor expressed serious doubts over the transparency of the ongoing hiring process. He said he had received information from sources that the search committee did not follow the transparent process as better candidates were not in the top three candidates while those who had secured top positions were facing corruption allegations. He claimed that he had documentary proofs of allegations and wondered what would happen if he made these proofs public. He said he was not satisfied with the summaries sent to him and he would decide the fate of these recommendations on merit.

Mr Khan said he would get legal opinion on the matter before issuing the notification.

“We did not have any names to be appointed as VCs or demand (the government) to appoint anyone as VC but we were asking (it) to discuss the matter with us and the VCs should be appointed on merit through proper discussion,” he said.

Ms Bokhari refuted the allegations of the governor, stressing that his role was only to endorse the decisions made by the Punjab Assembly and the provincial cabinet. She stressed that the governor had no authority to overturn cabinet decisions.

“The selection committee was formed by the cabinet and it has carried out interviews of all aspiring candidates. The committee recommended senior, eligible and experienced educationists for the positions of VCs,” Ms Bokhari said in response to the governor’s allegations.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2024