KARACHI, Jan 6: Dr Zafar Iqbal has been appointed vice-chancellor of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology. A press release issued by the deputy chair of the University , Jamiluddin Aali, says that under the instructions and guidance of the chairman of the Higher Education Commission and following advice of most Senate members, Dr Zafar Iqbal, who was working as the dean of the faculty of arts, has been appointed acting vice-chancellor of the Federal Urdu of University of Arts, Sciences and Technology.

Meanwhile, a letter sent by the chairman of the Higher Education Commission sent to Mr Aali says: "I understand that the vice-chancellor of Karachi University is being replaced and Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui is being considered for appointment in his place.

In case Dr Siddiqui is appointed as vice-chancellor, Karachi University, then you will immediately need to arrange an acting vice-chancellor so that the functioning of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology would not be affected. I suggest that an acting vice chancellor be appointed by the Senate from one of the deans, till such time that the vice-chancellor is formally appointed by the president." Sources said that the next meeting of the senate was scheduled to be held in the last week of this month.