SAHIWAL: The Higher Education Department (HED) has issued warning to 39 lecturers (Grade 17) who failed to report to their new places of posting in Punjab after promotion to assistant professor (Grade-18) positions in September 2024.

The promotions were approved by the departmental promotion committee meeting held in mid of last year and their displacement was done under e-transfer policy of the HED.

Many joined new places of posting but 39 lecturers forwent their promotion and refused to join their new positions, calling them “irrational” under the recently -introduced e-transfer policy.

Reports indicate that these lecturers were transferred to remote areas and instead of complying, they opted to forgo their promotion and remain at their present postings. After a seven-month delay, Ali Hyder Khan, Section Officer EM-I, HED, has issued a “warning” notification (No. SO (EMI) E-promotion/2025), stating that non-compliance with the orders will result in departmental inquiries under the PEEDA Act 2006.

Several lecturers expressed frustration over the e-transfer policy, claiming it has failed to address their legitimate concerns. According to them, vacancies do exist in colleges of their home districts but they were transferred to far-off places, like Burewala to Rajanpur, Multan to Chakwal, Bahawalnagar to Rahim Yar Khan, and Layyah to Bahawalnagar.

Lecturer Ziaul Haq told Dawn he was transferred 310 km away from home district Layyah to Bahwalanager though he was a cancer survivor. “Even the department did not consider my my request on compassionate ground,” he said.

Faiza Raana, President of the Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA), told Dawn the e-transfer policy has resulted in “displacements” after promotions, which she described as an unprecedented and unfair practice.

She said domestic and family responsibilities prevented many lecturers from joining their new postings.

Raana criticised the HED for issuing warnings without addressing lecturers’ grievances and urged the department to review the e-transfer policy and ensure fair treatment.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2025