KP cabinet rejects list seeking appointment of VCs for 19 universities

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Friday rejected a list of panels finalised by the caretaker government, seeking appointment of vice chancellors (VCs) for 19 public sector universities in the province.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired the meeting, which reviewed 19 panels consisting of 57 names presented by the Academic and Search Committee formed by the caretaker government.

Sources said that the KP cabinet raised objections, stating that the Academic and Search Committee initiated the VCs appointment process without the approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan, which was against the rules.

After a lengthy discussion on the issue in the cabinet meeting, the panels of VCs prepared during the caretaker government was rejected and it was decided to form a new Academic Search Committee to pick up names.

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According to official documents, the list prepared for the appointment of VCs during the caretaker government was for Abbottabad Science and Technology University, Gomal University DI Khan, Khushhal Khattak University Kirk, University of Agriculture DI Khan, Lucky Marwat University, Hazara University, Mardan Engineering University, Swat Engineering University, Agricultural University Swat, Shangla University, Veterinary University Swat, Peshawar University, Engineering University Peshawar, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, Nowshera University, Kohat University, Bannu University, and Women University Swabi.

Sources also revealed that the provincial cabinet considered a 15-point agenda during the meeting, and approved several other important issues, including amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act.

It should be noted that public sector universities across the country are grappling with a mounting crisis as the majority of them continue to operate without permanent vice chancellors, posing significant administrative challenges and jeopardizing academic activities.

Political instability and undue influence from provincial governments have led to delays in appointing permanent vice chancellors, severely disrupting the administrative affairs of public sector universities.