Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar dismissed vice-chancellor (VC) of Lahore College for Women University Dr Uzma Qureshi on Sunday. The decision came after the court took suo moto notice of reports that LCWU VC was appointed to the post against the merit. Appearing before the court after being summoned, the VC clarified that Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had no role in her appointment after the chief justice remarked that they are aware of Iqbal's role in the matter.
The chief justice wondered how seniors were sidelined in the appointment process, adding that, "the state of education has been destroyed. This is the Punjab government," he remarked. Dr Uzma Qureshi pleaded the bench not to dismiss her as it would affect her reputation but the court observed that she can plead her case afresh in front of a search committee.
Appearing before the court, Punjab Higher Education Minister Raza Ali Gilani informed the bench that Qureshi's appointment was not undertaken in his tenure but added that the inquiry of the matter was forwarded to him for which a committee has been established. Moreover, the apex court on Sunday ordered the removal of temporary VCs of Fatima Jinnah Medical College University, Rawalpindi Medical University and Faisalabad Medical University, and ordered permanent appointments in their place. The court also ordered that the senior most faculty member should be made the interim VC for the time being.
The Punjab advocate general informed the bench that a search committee has been formed which comprises Razzaq Dawood, Zafar Iqbal Qureshi and Umar Saif. Chief Justice Nisar approved the body's members and remarked that the committee will recommend names for appointment of VCs in public sector universities.
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