GUJRAT: The slot of the vice chancellor of the University of Gujrat (UoG) has, once again, got vacated after the Punjab government appointed UoG VC Prof Dr Zahoorul Haq as the first-ever regular VC of the University of Rasul (UoR), Mandi Bahauddin.

Mr Haq had been holding the additional charge of the UoR for the last more than a year.

Currently, the UoG does not have a pro-VC after the resignation of Prof Dr Mushahid Anwar around a year ago due to which the VC charge can only be given to the senior most professor of the university by the chancellor.

Established in 2018, the campus of UoR was previously known as the Govt College of Technology, Rasul.

Official sources said the UoG is facing administrative uncertainty due to the recent developments regarding the VC’s position and concerns are rife among academic circles about governance and continuity in the institution.

Established in 2003, the UoG has witnessed persistent leadership gaps over the past 2.5 years.

Following the completion of his four-year tenure on July 22, 2023, former VC Dr Shabbar Atiq demitted office. The then pro-VC, Dr Mushahid Anwar, had assumed acting charge the next and continued in that role for 2.5 years until the appointment of regular VC Dr Zahoorul Haq.

However, soon after assuming office, Mr Haq initiated proceedings under the Punjab Employees Efficiency Discipline Accountability Act (Peeda) against several senior faculty members, including the pro-VC, senior teachers and administrative officers. The action later extended to the dean of engineering and other senior professors, contributing to administrative strain within the university.

Official sources said that Mr Haq had assumed the charge of VC UoR however efforts were reportedly being made to retain him as the VC UoG on additional charge, raising concerns over one individual holding the top positions of two major public-sector universities simultaneously.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026