- By: Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad
In a landmark move, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken unprecedented action to address the longstanding issues plaguing public sector universities, providing hope to suffering employees and students.
A writ petition (CP-07/2024) filed by the All Public Universities BPS Teachers Association (APUBTA) exposed the dire situation, highlighting the delayed appointments of Vice Chancellors in over 70 universities nationwide. This has resulted in:
Financial and administrative chaos, Delayed salaries, Stalled promotions and Vacant teaching positions.
On July 11, 2024, Bench 1, of the SCP under the Chief Justice of Pakistan ordered universities to provide detailed records, including:
Meetings of statutory bodies (Senate, Syndicate, Selection Boards, Finance and Planning Committee, and Board of Trustees)
Financial records (revenue generated from students and grants) and Liability records if any.
The court also sought information on administrative positions, like Registrar, Controller of Examination and Treasurer, the court during discussion questioned illegal extensions granted to some Vice Chancellors.
In a dramatic turn of events, Vice Chancellors of federal universities were summoned to appear in person on September 20. Some were dismissed on the spot for illegally extending their terms, while others attempted to evade attendance.
Islamic International University’s Vice Chancellor claimed exemption due to illness but was ordered to appear, with the court offering to provide an ambulance if necessary. The university’s assertion that it was not a public sector institution was swiftly rejected, and a special audit through the Auditor General of Pakistan was recommended.
APUBTA welcomed the court’s intervention, saying, “We expect the honorable court to investigate corruption and nepotism in appointments and reappointments in violation to clear provision of promotion in HEC ordinance 2002.”
The association urges the court to address the systemic flaw allowing Vice Chancellors to prioritize hiring relatives and acquaintances even for HEC HED and for politicians and members of bodies over promoting incumbent staff, who often wait decades for promotions.
Universities advertise positions, in violation to the provision of one scale promotion of incumbents only to appoint relatives and friends of HEC, HED, and syndicate members, MNAs, and MPAs. This nepotism perpetuates a culture of favoritism, stifling merit-based growth.
APUBTA requests the honourable court to restrict the Ministry of Federal Education, HEC, and universities to adhere to HEC ordinances and avoid nepotistic appointments that’s makes burdens for institutions.
As the Supreme Court continues to investigate, hopes rise for meaningful reform in Pakistan’s public sector universities. APUBTA requests the Hon court for immediate appointments of Vice Chancellors and Pro Vice Chancellors and other administrative officers, Regularization of teaching positions, Timely promotions and salary payments, Special audit of universities for reforms and Adherence to HEC ordinance. APUBTA will provide support and evidence to aid the investigation if required.
APUBTA furthermore requests the Hon. court to see into the alarming situation and direct the Ministry of Federal Education, HEC and the universities to be abide by the HEC ordinance and avoid the appointments on nepotism and discriminatory reappointments in the name of one scale promotion for incumbents.
- The writer is General Secretary of APUBTA and is a PhD from the University of Essex, UK and serving the university of Malakand as Associate Professor of Mathematics.