In a judgement authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, universities are directed to strictly adhere to their respective laws.
Supreme Court Orders Immediate Appointment of Key Positions at Public Sector Universities
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has mandated that all vacant top positions at public sector universities, including vice-chancellors, pro vice-chancellors, rectors, registrars, and heads of faculties and departments, be filled promptly in accordance with applicable laws. This directive follows a petition filed by the All Public Universities BPS Teachers Association (APUBTA), which raised concerns about the lack of a structured service framework for teachers in these institutions.
In a detailed nine-page judgment authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, the Court emphasized that substantial public funds are allocated to these universities and it is imperative that they operate in strict compliance with their governing laws. The judgment criticized the practice of running universities based on the personal preferences of those in charge, which has led to a deterioration in academic standards, the reputation of Pakistani universities, and the credibility of the degrees they award.
The three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Isa, issued the directive on May 15. The Court’s order requires that all vacant positions specified in the universities’ governing laws, including those of vice-chancellors, pro vice-chancellors, rectors, presidents, vice-presidents, registrars, heads of faculties and departments, controllers of examinations, and directors of finance, be filled as soon as practicable. This process must adhere strictly to the relevant legal frameworks.
The judgment also highlighted the necessity for public sector universities to adhere to their legal requirements. It was noted that if current administrators are disregarding these laws without valid reasons, they must prove their competency to remain in their positions. The Court pointed out that laws governing these institutions mandate regular meetings of syndicates, senates, boards of governors, and boards of trustees. The ongoing vacancies in crucial positions undermine the governance structure and contravene these legal requirements.
The Supreme Court’s order further addressed the inefficiencies in the staffing structure of these universities. It was reported that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has established an ideal staff ratio of 1:1.5 for academic to non-academic staff. However, many universities have failed to meet this standard, with a disproportionate number of non-academic staff compared to their academic counterparts.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s ruling serves as a crucial step toward ensuring that public sector universities in Pakistan adhere to legal standards and operational efficiencies. The Court’s emphasis on filling key positions and maintaining appropriate staffing ratios aims to enhance the overall governance and academic quality of these institutions.