KARACHI: The Sindh government has asked the outgoing vice chancellor of Karachi University (KU), Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, to defer the July 27 meeting of the varsity’s Syndicate since it was his last day in office and policy, financial, administrative and service matters should be taken up by the next permanent vice chancellor, it emerged on Monday.

Dr Iraqi’s decision to hold the syndicate meeting on the last day of his tenure raised many eyebrows as his opponents suspected that the session might be used to give cover to certain controversial decisions of the outgoing administration.

On Monday, the Universities and Boards Department issued a letter, informing VC Iraqi that his tenure would expire on July 27, the same day the Syndicate meeting had been convened.

It noted that the agenda of the meeting included key policy, administrative, financial and service matters, including recommendations of selection boards, appointments and other decisions carrying long-term legal, financial and administrative implications for the university.

“In view of the significance of these agenda items, the prevailing administrative and financial challenges being faced by the university, and the fact that the meeting is proposed to be held on the last day of your tenure as vice chancellor, the government is of the considered view that, in the interest of institutional continuity, good governance and administrative propriety, these matters may more appropriately be considered by the Syndicate under the chairmanship of the incoming regular VC, who will be responsible for their implementation, oversight and accountability,” read the letter, a copy of which is available to Dawn.

In a statement, a workers’ union in the KU welcomed the Sindh government’s move and said the chief minister’s intervention had prevented the university from suffering further damages.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026