LAHORE: Governor Chaudhry Sarwar has declared illegal the back-dated appointments by the Punjab University in light of the policy decision of its Syndicate in 1991.

The governor, who is the chancellor of public sector varsities in the province, said in his recent order:

“The practice of antedated appointments in light of the policy decision of the Syndicate dated Nov 11, 1991 shall stop forthwith as the said decision of the Syndicate enjoys no legal sanctity in the eyes of law. It can become part of the statutes only after approval by the chancellor in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the law and made part of the statues governing terms and conditions of service of officers, teachers and employees of the university. ”

The chancellor ordered the PU authorities to frame comprehensive statutes/regulations under the Punjab University Act 1973 to conduct and regulate the business of the varsity authorities as provided under section 22 of the Act ibid and get them approved by the competent authorities/fora.

According to officials, the 1991 decision essentially said that regardless of when the selection board meeting for an advertised post was held, the appointment would be effective four months from the last date of submission of application.

“This decision may dissuade the PU administration from benefiting its favourites by holding their selection board early and punishing its opponents by delaying it for indefinite period of time,” an official said, adding for a syndicate decision to become a statute of the Punjab University Act 1973, it must be approved by the PU Senate and signed by the chancellor.

The official said the 1991 Syndicate decision was made during the tenure of VC Prof. Dr. Muniruddin Chughtai.

“Neither he nor any of the 11 subsequent vice chancellors, including the incumbent Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed, took the decision to Senate in spite of the fact that two Senate meetings have been held during his tenure,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2019