ISLAMABAD: Almost one-third of public sector universities across Pakistan are operating without a regular head, raising a major question mark on the recruitment process and efficiency of the quarters concerned.

At present, out of at least 154 varsities, about 50 are functioning on the basis of stopgap measures in the absence of vice-chancellors. Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed on Monday informed the Senate Functional Committee on Devolution headed by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed that 42 universities were functioning with acting vice-chancellors. On the other hand, HEC officials disclosed to Dawn that the figure was above 50 after more seats were vacated in December.

HEC Chairman Dr Ahmed confirmed the actual figure was about 50. He said that he had shared a figure of 42 universities with the committee because he did not have the updated information about some universities, whose VCs completed their term in December.

“Yes, there are around 50 universities which were being operated through acting VCs,” he said and added that the majority of them belonged to Punjab followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that after 18th Amendment, provincial governments were supposed to appoint VCs. One of the main reasons behind the prolonged delay in the appointment of regular VCs was litigation, he said, adding that the commission was making all possible efforts to help the varsities find regular heads.

“For example, some universities due to the caretaker provincial government had an issue in appointing the regular heads. The HEC in October got permission from the Election Commission of Pakistan for provincial universities, getting a go-ahead for the appointment of regular heads,” he said and added that provincial governments had been taking steps to fill the posts.

The panel, which met at Parliament House, deliberated on key matters pertaining to the transfer of powers and handing over functions and facilities to the provincial governments with a particular focus on the education sector. The committee was told that administrative procedures for appointments of VCs for federally charted universities involved a search committee appointed by the president of Pakistan while provincially chartered Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) fell under the governance of their respective provinces’ higher education departments.

During the session, the panel chairman underscored the committee’s commitment to redirecting state resources towards engaging the youth in activities that safeguard Pakistan’s future, emphasising the need to prioritise such initiatives over counter-terrorism investments as investing in youth education and employment will counter-terrorism.

Low education spending

The senator was dismayed over the spike in recruitment in public universities (except VCs) amid a decline in education quality. The committee noted that universities were offering courses with ‘limited employment prospects’. Senator Taj Haider inquired about the Gross Domestic Product (DGP) allocation for education, revealing that the current spending is only 1.77% of the total GDP, falling short of the set target of 5pc for education and 1pc for research.

The committee chairman also drew attention to the ‘alarming number’ of youth allegedly addicted to drugs and urged the reallocation of funds from counter-terrorism towards youth welfare.

PSB funds

The committee also discussed the issues of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB)owned entities in provinces. The PSB Officials highlighted a 41pc reduction in funds in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed emphasised the pivotal role of education, employment, and sports in countering terrorism and expressed concerns over the dismal conditions of the hockey and tennis federations. The committee also decided to formulate a sub-committee to review the federally owned sports facilities in the provinces.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2024