Three hired for one post
The Sindh High Court has cancelled the appointments of three assistant professors in BPS-19 in the Institute of Arts and Design, Sindh University, because three vacancies were filled against one advertised post.
The bench comprising Justice Adnan-ul-Karim and Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro ordered the university to give ad for the vacancy afresh and complete the process within a month.
The order was given on a petition filed by a lecturer Erum Waheed of IA&D. Barrister Taha Rehman, who represented Waheed, apprised the bench that the SU advertised one post of assistant professor in BPS-19 on April 24, 2017.
The qualification of Doctor of Philosopohy (PhD) and up to six years teaching experience was pre-requisite for the position. On July 27, 2017, the varsity issued the scrutiny letter in which the applications of seven candidates were vetted.
The lawyer contended that Erum was the only candidate who qualified for the post on the basis of both qualification and experience. However, the selection board after interviewing the candidates recommended five candidates including the petitioner on March 25, 2018. Two of the appointed candidates were among those five while the third one was not even recommended by the board, the counsel claimed.
The SU's syndicate held a meeting on March 26, 2018, and approved the appointments of three assistant professors in IA&D. The appointed teachers include Rabella Abro, Hisamuddin Mirani and Sabeen Shaikh.
The respondents in their counter argument maintained that two more posts of associate professors in BPS-20 were subsequently advertised after the post in BPS-19. They apprised the court that SU's syndicate had unanimously approved appointment of two more assistant professors in addition to the one advertised position.
The bench noted that the three assistant professors, who were also respondents in the case, remained absent during the proceedings even though they were served notices on April 13 and 27.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2022.