ISLAMABAD: Appointment against the position of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) president is facing inordinate delays, forcing the higher education institution to be run on an ad-hoc basis — a practice that has plagued the country’s public education sector for long.

The IIUI head’s post fell vacant in July last year after its previous president and Saudi educationist Dr Hathal Homoud Alotaibi’s tenure came to an end.

Last month, a headhunting committee was formed by the IIUI’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to come up with at least three names for appointment to the post.

However, the selection penal could not finalise its recommendations.

Headhunting committee falters in proposing three names for the position within one month

According to sources, IIUI’s BoT met in Saudi Arabia on December 23, 2024, to discuss the matter. Following deliberation, the forum came up with the decision to form a headhunting committee and tasked it with completing the process within one month.

When asked about the delay, one of the members of the committee said that the process would be completed soon.

During last month’s BoT huddle, rules for the appointment were approved in principle with the direction that the additional requirements suggested by the members should be incorporated.

“Furthermore, keeping in view the current interim administrative arrangement; BoT decided to complete the process of appointment of the IIUI president through the headhunting committee,” minutes of the meeting read.

The headhunting committee was obliged to be headed by the IIUI pro-chancellor as per official directives.

It is relevant to note here that last year, the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan in its order directed that the appointment of IIUI president should be made in a “very rigorous and transparent manner”.

“Since the position of the President is vacant, therefore, appointment thereto be made by sub-section (1) of section 13 of the Ordinance, after framing the rules with the help of HEC through IIU’s Board of Governors… in a very rigorous and transparent manner as was decided by the University’s Board of Trustees in its 14th meeting, held on June 30, 2020,” read the SC judgment, dated October 10, 2024.

In the same judgement, the apex court further stated that appointments should be made to all tenured positions in universities as prescribed in their respective laws.

The court further observed that appointments to the positions of vice-chancellors, registrars, directors-general, deans, treasurers, directors of finance, controllers of examinations, chairpersons and others also be made as per framed rules.

“This must be done transparently and on merit,” the court ruled, adding that applications should be sought through advertisements.

Currently, both, the offices of IIUI president and rector, are being run under an ad-hoc arrangement.

The rector’s slot had fallen vacant after the removal of Dr Samina Malik a few months ago by the country’s apex court.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2025