Punjab notifies suspension of two vice-chancellors

Respectively 5 and 3 names under consideration for slots at PU, LCWU

LAHORE: After the apex court’s order to suspend vice chancellors (VCs) of the Punjab University (PU) and the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), names of the senior most academics from the two institutions are being considered to be elevated as their provisional VCs.

The Supreme Court on Saturday suspended the PU acting VC Dr Zakria Zakar during the hearing of a case with regard to handing over of the PU’s 80-kanal land to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) for a grid-station. Dr Zakar had tendered his resignation before the court.

During hearing of another case, the Supreme Court on Sunday suspended the LCWU Vice Chancellor Dr Uzma Qureshi from her post. The SC also ordered the provincial government to form a new inquiry committee to look into allegations against Dr Qureshi’s eligibility within three days.

In line with the Supreme Court’s order, the Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) on Monday issued two notifications respectively with regard to the PU and the LCWU.



“The competent authority has accepted resignation of Dr Muhammad Zakria Zakar… with effect from April 21, 2018. Orders regarding appointment of provisional VC…, in line with orders of... Supreme Court of Pakistan shall be issued in the course of this week,” said the notice for Punjab University.

The notification for LCWU said, “The appointment of Dr Uzma Qureshi.. is placed under suspension till further orders. Orders regarding appointment of provisional Vice Chancellor, LCWU, Lahore, in line with orders of the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan shall be issued in the course of this week.”



According to details, the five senior-most professors under consideration for the post of the PU’s provisional vice chancellor are Prof Dr Taqi Zahid Butt, Prof Dr Shahid Kamal, Prof Dr Muhammad Fakhar ul Haq Noori, Prof Dr Nasira Jabeen and Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar.

For the LCWU, the three senior-most professors under consideration for the appointment as provisional vice chancellor are Dr Bushra Khan, Dr Shagufta Naz and Dr Farkhanda Manzoor.

When asked about who would take charge at the PU and LCWU after the Supreme Court’s order, the HED Secretary Nabeel Awan said the ‘best candidates’ will be chosen. However, he did not give any timeframe for the appointments.