‘Varsities no longer run on ad-hoc basis’

Punjab governor says on-merit appointments also being ensured.

LAHORE:

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said on Sunday that public universities were no longer run on ad-hoc basis. “As Chancellor, I have eliminated ad hoc system from universities and ensured appointments on merit.”

He expressed these views while speaking to the media on Sunday.

The governor added, “When I took over as Chancellor, there were temporary Vice Chancellors (VC) in 12 public universities. I have appointed permanent VCs on merit in every university.”

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Accountability and transparency go hand in hand and a mechanism for accountability of universities' VCs in the province was inevitable, Sarwar stated. “The trend of setting up private universities has increased through the private members' bill but I assure you that unless a university meets all the regulatory requirements, it will not be allowed to start admissions."

Sarwar elaborated that if any complaint comes up against the VC of any university in the province, he will personally investigate and take action against them. "Sexual harassment is a serious issue and the government has a zero tolerance policy in this regard. Clear instructions have been issued to all VCs. I have asked the bureaucracy to deal with the affairs of universities without any delay."

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2021.