LAHORE, Jan 2: A Supreme Court divisional bench on Wednesday dismissed a contempt of court petition filed against the Punjab government for not appointing vice chancellors of the University of Health Sciences (UHS) and the King Edward Medical University (KEMU).

On behalf of the provincial government, Assistant Advocate General Faisal Zaman told the bench that the process for the appointment of vice chancellors had been started and applications sought through an advertisement in newspapers. He said the advertisement was published on Nov 26, 2012.

The law officer stated interviews of the eligible applicants were being conducted by the “Search Committee” and the appointment process would be completed soon.

In the light of the government’s reply, the bench dismissed the petition.

It was contended in the petition that the SC on March 14, 2012, had directed the Punjab government to appoint the VCs in three months, but the directions were not complied with despite the lapse of about seven months.

The petitioner requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against government authorities, including the chief minister, the chief secretary, the secretary services and the secretary health.