• Sindh cabinet asks vice chancellor to ‘consider’ Dr Nighat Shah’s case for reappointment
• CM House spokesperson dismisses allegations of political influence; says post filled ‘on contractual basis’ in accordance with applicable PMDC guidelines

KARACHI: The cabinet’s direct intervention in the case of a retiring associate professor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), directing the varsity vice chancellor to consider appointing her as a (full) professor for three years, at a time when the university has already advertised faculty positions, has raised serious transparency concerns, besides potentially affecting prospects of applicants for the post, it has emerged.

Sources said the JSMU faculty member in question, Dr Nighat Shah, associate professor heading a gynaecology and obstetrics ward at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), also the daughter of former chief minister of Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, was due to retire on Thursday (today).

A universities and boards department’s letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn, showed that while the cabinet has directed the VC to consider the case of Dr Nighat for appointment as (full) professor, the universities and boards department has asked the concerned VC to ensure “immediate implementation and strict compliance” of the cabinet’s decision.

Referring to the cabinet meeting held on Aug 10, the letter says, “The provincial cabinet directed that the vice chancellor, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, in the larger public interest, and with a view to ensuring continuity of specialised healthcare services, academic leadership, postgraduate medical education, research, innovation and institutional excellence, should consider the appointment of Dr Nighat Shah as a professor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University for a period of three years as per the prescribed procedure laid down in Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) notification dated May 19, 2026.”

In the following text, the letter says, “In pursuance of the provincial cabinet’s decision, you are directed [to take] immediate necessary action for appointment of Prof Dr Nighat Shah as professor for a period of three years.”

It further says, “The cabinet decision will be implemented in letter and spirit without delay, and a compliance report, along with the action taken, shall be furnished to the department on a priority basis for submission to the competent authority and record.”

The sources said that JSMU has recently advertised several teaching and non-teaching positions, including positions for professorship.

At least five senior JSMU faculty, they said, have applied for the post of professor, apart from those belonging to other institutions.

“All faculty positions have recently been advertised, and candidates would be selected through a selection board. Currently, two posts out of four are vacant for professorship,” said JSMU VC Prof Amjad Siraj Memon.

As the member of the PMDC representing Sindh, he pointed out that he floated the suggestion at a meeting of the council last year to extend the age bracket of faculty members’ service to address the shortage of critical senior staff.

“In response, the PMDC set up a committee [to discuss and evaluate the proposal] and later issued a notification extending the age bracket to 65 years, which is subject to certain rules,” he explained.

Contradictory statements from officials

When asked why Dr Nighat Shah wasn’t allowed to go through the process of a selection board, he replied, “It’s the cabinet decision that’s communicated to me.”

In a detailed response — which leaves no room for the JSMU VC to consider the cabinet’s decision — a spokesperson of the CM House said: “The continuation of Prof Dr Nighat Shah was recommended by the Vice Chancellor, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and the Minister for Health, keeping in view her extensive academic, clinical and administrative experience and her longstanding contribution to medical education.”

The spokesperson further said that the “appointment/continuation of Prof Nighat Shah was made on a purely contractual basis”, within the permissible policy framework and in accordance with the applicable PMDC guidelines for engagement of experienced professors in medical teaching institutions.

He said: “A contractual appointment for a specified period does not confer regular service status, seniority or any vested right to promotion in the regular cadre.

“Accordingly, the engagement of a professor on contract basis does not affect the seniority or promotion prospects of regular faculty members. The promotion of regular faculty continues to be governed independently by the applicable university laws, statutes, service rules, sanctioned posts and prescribed eligibility criteria. No regular promotional post is occupied or blocked merely by engaging a professor on contract,” he said.

“The allegation that the appointment was made due to political influence is not supported by the record and is categorically denied,” he added.

It’s important to mention here that PMDC issued a notification on May 19, 2026, allowing public-sector medical and dental institutions to hire or retain retired faculty members on a contractual basis up to the age of 65, subject to institutional need and policies.

The policy is completely optional (enabling in nature) and does not force any institution to make appointments. It provides a legal framework for government bodies or cabinets to grant post-retirement contract extensions for specialised healthcare and academic continuity.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026