Administrative, financial crises hit KP universities with 18 sans VCs

PESHAWAR: Public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are grappling with a significant administrative and financial crisis, with 18 universities lacking vice-chancellors and the tenure of five more set to end in March.

A brewing conflict has emerged between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali and the caretaker provincial government over the appointment of vice-chancellors for the universities.

Sources in the Governor’s Secretariat told HUM News English that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor had sent four letters to the caretaker chief minister, urging prompt appointments to fill the vacant vice-chancellor positions.

According to the sources, in a recent meeting, the caretaker cabinet of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department reconstituted an academic search committee for the appointment of vice-chancellors in public sector universities. The committee is chaired by former planning commission member Prof Dr Kausar A Malik.

The sources said that vice-chancellor positions are currently vacant in 18 universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Shangla University, Agricultural University Swat, Veterinary University Swat, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, UET Mardan, University of Technology Nowshera, Hazara University, Science and Technology University Abbottabad, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Khushal Khan Khattak University Karak, Science and Technology University Bannu, Lakki Marwat University, UET Peshawar, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, DI Khan University of Agriculture, and Swabi Women University.

The sources said that vice-chancellor positions in Buner University, Chitral University, Women University Mardan, Islamia College University and FATA University will be vacnt by March 2024.

The province is grappling with a severe financial crisis, with numerous universities facing challenges in paying salaries and pensions to employees. The financial deficit of Agricultural University Peshawar stands at Rs1.1 billion , UET Peshawar faces a deficit of Rs616 million and Peshawar University reports a financial deficit of Rs1.4 billion .

Officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department state that an academic search committee has been formed to appoint vice-chancellors.

Simultaneously, the provincial government is taking measures to provide financial relief to public sector universities in KP, addressing their current financial difficulties.