PIFD Senate to convene on July 31 to reconsider acting VC appointment
A picture of the campus of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design—PIFD
An important meeting of the Senate of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) was summoned for July 31 to reconsider the appointment of an acting vice chancellor, following clear directives from President Asif Ali Zardari in his capacity as chancellor of the institute.
Sources confirmed that the president sent a reference to the Ministry of Education on April 24, invoking Section 8(6) of the PIFD Act, directing that Agenda Item No 13 of the 17th Senate meeting be reconsidered. The president has explicitly instructed that the responsibilities of acting vice chancellor must be entrusted to a senior faculty member.
The move follows the contentious 17th Senate meeting held on January 5, 2026, in which former vice chancellor Professor Hina Tayyaba Khalil was approved to continue in her role — despite having already completed two full terms. The Senate's Standing Committee on Education has since recommended declaring that meeting null and void.
"Presidency had made it clear that the approval of the agenda had not been obtained," said Bushra Anjum Butt, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Education, during a committee session.
READ: President constitutes committee to probe irregularities at PIFD
Senator Butt had forwarded a reference to the Presidency detailing serious allegations against Professor Khalil from faculty members, officers, and stakeholders. The reference accused the former VC of involvement in mismanagement and misuse of powers, and highlighted a "worst situation of governance" at the institute.
Specific allegations include irregularities in procurement and financial matters, as well as alleged corruption in tenders worth Rs450 million related to the construction of the girls' hostel.
The Presidency has forwarded its recommendations to the Ministry of Education. Ministry sources confirmed the July 31 Senate meeting and stated that in light of the president's directives, a senior faculty member will be appointed as acting vice chancellor. The seniority list has already been obtained for this purpose.