KARACHI: Taking strong exception of administrative delays in appointments, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Friday issued a deadline to universities to complete the recruitment process by August 15, 2026, warning that the delay in filling vacant positions and convening of selection boards might entail appropriate administrative and regulatory consequences.

In a letter sent to vice chancellors, rectors and heads of institutes on Feb 27, HEC Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar has described the “chronic non-filling of key statutory and administrative positions” — such as pro vice chancellor, dean, registrar, treasurer, controller of examinations, as well as faculty positions, like, professor, associate professor, assistant professor and lecturer — as a “persistent governance” issue affecting many universities in the country.

“This has resulted in prolonged vacancies and, in many cases, extended ad-hoc or makeshift arrangements. The delay in filling these positions and making ad-hoc arrangements directly affect academic planning, instructional continuity, research supervision and student support services,” the letter by the HEC Chairman reads.

“The absence of timely merit-based appointments disrupts decision-making continuity, weakens and impairs operational control over finance, academics and administration,” it adds.

Survey finds around 40pc of faculty and administrative positions in higher educational institutions are currently vacant

It refers to a recent (HEC) survey conducted to support governance reforms and strengthen academic quality across the higher education sector, which showed that approximately 40 per cent of faculty and administrative positions in higher educational institutions (HEIs) are currently vacant.

This matter, it says, was raised by the commission in its 13th urgent meeting held on Feb 9, 2025, and directed to issue the following advisory to HEIs.

The advisory directs institutions to advertise and fill all vacant positions per their university act (statutory, administrative and faculty positions) and convene selection boards “on a regular and timely basis ensuring transparency, merit and procedural propriety at all stages. The recruitment process should be completed by August 15, 2026.

“Particular emphasis shall be placed on expeditious disposal of all pending recruitment cases so as to avoid administrative delays, legal complications, and infringement of merit-based selection principles,” the letter says.

The HEC further asks universities to initiate appropriate measures for the creation of posts where faculty members are held up in their appointment solely due to the non-availability of sanctioned seats.

“No eligible faculty member shall be unduly deprived of appointment on account of administrative inaction, delays in convening statutory bodies or non-availability of positions where such issues can be lawfully addressed through institutional mechanisms,” the letter says.

The commission directs institutions to ensure “immediate, strict, and verifiable compliance with these directions in letter and spirit” and that any delay in the finalisation of recruitment processes and convening of selection boards “shall be viewed seriously and may entail appropriate administrative and regulatory consequences”.

“The commission expects all institutional heads to demonstrate the highest standards of administrative diligence, merit-based governance, and institutional accountability in strengthening the higher education system of Pakistan,” it says.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2026