Appointment: Khosa tipped to be new IIUI rector

ISLAMABAD:

Former Punjab governor Latif Khosa is being tipped to take charge as rector of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI).

The slot has been lying vacant since seven months, with Quaid-i-Azam University Vice-Chancellor Dr Masoom Yasinzai filling in as the acting rector.

According to IIUI sources, Khosa’s appointment has been finalised but the announcement has been delayed for political reasons.

“After Khosa tendered his resignation at Bilawal House in Karachi, President Asif Ali Zardari approved of the former governor being granted a ‘suitable’ government posting,” said an official source.



However, some students and teachers of the university are of the view that Khosa is a controversial figure with no academic or literary background.

A high official at HEC said that appointment at universities in capital is at the discretion of the President, who is chancellor of the university.

“The HEC cannot comment on this appointment because it is the prerogative of president to appoint a rector. Besides, this is a ceremonial post and does not have much say in the affairs of the university,” he said.

Yasinzai told The Express Tribune that he has not gotten wind of any information about the would-be appointment.

The previous rector, Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, was rumoured to have been removed due to diplomatic pressure after signing a Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Iranian universities and some other activities at the university which were allegedly considered too liberal by certain quarters.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2013.