KARACHI: Sindh Universities and Boards Minister Ismail Rahu has confirmed that the vice chancellor of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari (BBSUL) had resigned but the government has not accepted his resignation.

BBSUL VC Prof Dr Hussain Mehdi had sent his resignation to the Sindh chief minister on Sept 30, citing political interference and pressure regarding administrative decisions.

In a statement, Minister Rahu said that the resignation of the VC had been received, “but no final decision has yet been taken on the matter”.

He said that after reviewing the resignation, a decision will be made in accordance with law and regulations.

He, however, made it clear that neither the Sindh government nor any political figure was interfering in the affairs of the province’s universities.

The minister stated that the Sindh government had no policy of intervening in university matters and the CM, who is the controlling authority of all public sector universities in the province, had also directed all vice chancellors to work independently.

He emphasised that all appointments of vice chancellors were made strictly on merit through a transparent process. “The universities have statutory bodies such as Syndicate and Senate, which are authorised to make decisions within their jurisdiction,” he said.

In his resignation, Dr Mehdi had blamed a group of employees for creating unrest and exerting pressure on the varsity administration through protests for fulfilling their demands.

He stated that the continuing pressure had affected the functioning of the university administration and made it difficult for him to discharge his responsibilities as vice chancellor.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2026