LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday reserved verdict in a case relating to appointment of vice chancellors at four public sector universities in Punjab.

Dr Asmatullah of Zoology Department at Punjab University and others had challenged the process for the appointment saying the Punjab higher education department had no jurisdiction to appoint the vice chancellors.

They pleaded that powers to appoint VCs solely rested with Higher Education Commission (HEC). They asked the court to direct the government to appoint the VCs in accordance with the law and observe merit.

During a previous hearing, Advocate General of Punjab Shakilur Rehman told the court that the HEC had no role in appointment of VCs at public sector universities.

The AGP argued that the Punjab higher education department was established after devolution of powers under the 18th amendment. He said the department had lawfully initiated process for the appointment of vice chancellors at four public universities.

The law officer had the view that the HEC could only furnish recommendations for educational standards and financial affairs of the universities. He argued that the HEC could not issue any guideline on appointment of VCs in the presence of universities’ senate and syndicate. He urged the court to dismiss the petitions.

After hearing the arguments at length, Justice Shahid Karim reserved judgement.

The judge had already stayed the process for the appointment of VCs at Punjab University, Lahore College for Women University, University of Sargodha and Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology, Multan.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2016