LAHORE, May 17: The Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) and syndicate representatives have expressed resentment over Punjab government's move to consider a junior professor for the post of pro-vice-chancellor.

In a statement issued here on Monday, PUASA general secretary Dr Mahr Saeed Akhtar, vice-presidents Dr Abdul Ghaffar, Dr Mumtaz Salik, joint secretary Dr Ismatullah and syndicate member Prof Dr Haris Rashid said Prof Dr Nayyar Raza Zaidi, who is being considered for the post, was 18 on the seniority list in the university and had no administrative experience.

They said the decision to appoint a junior professor with no administrative experience tantamount to violate the merit and usurp the right of senior faculty members. "This appointment will establish a tradition that will ultimately damage the peaceful environment on the university campus," they said.

The PUASA and syndicate representatives demanded that the Punjab governor, chief minister and education minister should decide the matter on merit. The office of pro-VC has been lying vacant for the last over six years.

Meanwhile, PUASA president Dr Iftikhar Husain Baloch said the chief minister's decision to appoint Prof Zaidi was constitutional and according to the PU Calendar.

He said the Calender's section 16(1) says: "A chancellor may, if considers expedient, may appoint a PVC from amongst the professors of the university in consultation with the vice-chancellor." Dr Baloch said the university faculty should not politicize the appointment of PVC.