Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has advised the Punjab governor to carefully study the Constitution amid an ongoing disagreement between the provincial government and the governor's office over the appointment of vice chancellors in several universities of the province.
In an interview with Samaa TV, the education minister criticized the team advising Governor Sardar Salim Haider, stating that they had embarrassed him by providing incorrect advice. He urged the governor to replace his advisory team immediately to avoid further complications.
"The governor has been put in this position due to misguided advice," said Rana Sikandar, adding that the governor’s objections to the appointments were unfounded.
The dispute arose after the governor raised objections to the appointment process for vice chancellors, which had been initiated by the provincial government. However, Rana Sikandar challenged the governor to a debate, asserting that just as the appointments for the first seven universities had been approved, the remaining six would also follow the same process.
The Punjab government has decided to respond to the objections of the governor.
Also Read: Govt-governor tensions persist over VCs appointments in Punjab universities
"Once the objections are addressed, we hope the vice chancellors will be notified," said Rana Sikandar, expressing optimism that the issue would be resolved soon. He alleged that the candidates who made him offers and sought favours had gone to the governor.
He also noted that the appointment of vice chancellors in Sindh is carried out by the chief minister, implying that Punjab should follow a similar model.
Just a day ago, tensions escalated over the appointment of vice chancellors, as Governor Sardar Salim Haider rejected the summaries regarding the VCs of six provincial universities. The governor cited objections and returned the summaries, leading to a stand-off between the Punjab government and the governor's office.
Governor Haider's office has raised concerns that the summaries were not sent in accordance with the law or established regulations. The spokesperson for the governor indicated that the summaries should have included three names from the Chief Minister's House in alphabetical order, from which the governor was to select one candidate.
Also Read: Education minister scoffs at Punjab governor over VCs' appointment
On the other hand, the Punjab government declared that the appointment process for vice chancellors in the province was being conducted on merit. According to government sources, the appointment of vice chancellors for seven major universities had already been completed in the first phase, with the remaining appointments to follow in a phased manner.
The Punjab government further asserted that the governor had no direct involvement in the appointment process and was constitutionally bound to sign the summaries sent by the provincial government. Sources within the government expressed confusion over the governor's refusal to endorse the appointments, describing his stance as "beyond comprehension".
