In a long-awaited VC Appointments Finalized in KP the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has issued offer letters to 18 academics for regular vice-chancellorships in public sector universities—complying with a Supreme Court directive after nearly three years of delay.
Initially set to appoint VCs in 19 institutions, the process stalled for the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Swat due to a structural upgrade disqualifying the shortlisted candidate. Offer letters from the Higher Education Department grant candidates three days to accept the four-year terms—two years initially, extendable upon performance—though they remain conditional pending a Supreme Court review petition.
The VC Appointments Finalized in KP marks the end of years of administrative vacuum. Newly named vice-chancellors include prominent scholars like Prof Dr Jauhar Ali (University of Peshawar), Prof Dr Mohammad Sadiq (UET Peshawar), Prof Dr Ghazala Yasmin (Women University Swabi), and others from Hazara, Bannu, Mardan, and D.I. Khan. UET Swat’s case remains unresolved.
The process had been mired in legal and political battles since 2023, when Dr Ataur Rahman’s search committee resigned over alleged interference. Despite a High Court order to finalize appointments within 10 days, the provincial government delayed action, prompting a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025, leading to the reluctant issuance of offer letters.
The VC Appointments Finalized in KP comes amid wider debates about academic autonomy. A December 2024 amendment to the KP Universities Act shifted chancellorship from the governor to the chief minister, triggering concerns over political interference in academic affairs. Meanwhile, six additional VC seats remain vacant, underscoring the ongoing governance crisis.
