Decision on permanent LCWU VC up in the air

Committee formed to review Dr Uzma Qureshi’s appointment has still not met

LAHORE: A committee looking into objections of the candidature and appointment of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) Vice Chancellor Dr Uzma Qureshi has yet to hold its first meeting, despite being formed a month ago.

Dr Uzma Qureshi was appointed as vice chancellor on May 28, 2017, for a term of four years. The appointment was made on April 27after a verdict of the Lahore High Court (LHC), which gave the Punjab government its nod to appoint VCs at four universities on the recommendations of a search committee.

Meanwhile, Dr Rukhsana Kausar, appointed as acting VC by LHC, was also a candidate for the slot. She filed a representation with the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) against two other candidates, including Dr Uzama Qureshi.



Keeping this in view, the notification stated the decision was subject to a final decision on the application of Dr Rukhsana Kausar.

“Terms and conditions of the appointment of Dr Uzma Qureshi shall be notified separately,” the notification said. It added the provisional appointment of Dr Rukhsana Kausar by the LHC had ended with immediate effect.

On June 9, the Chief Minister’s Office formed a search committee to look into the application. “The chief minister is pleased to constitute the following committee which shall examine the representation submitted by Dr Rukhsana Kausar, ex-vice chancellor of the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), with regard to the candidature and deficiency in qualification of Dr Uzma Qureshi,” the notification stated.

The members of the committee included Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi as chairman, Dr Umar Saif as member, Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin as member and HED Secretary Nasim Nawaz as secretary and member.

“The committee shall examine the matter in detail and strictly in accordance with law/rules, and furnish its recommendation with regard to the representation made by Dr Rukhsana Kausar within 10 days. Further necessary action may be taken accordingly”.

However, more than a month has passed and the committee is yet to start proceedings. An official privy to the matter told The Express Tribune that the body, formed by the CM’s Office, was yet to hold a single meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2017.