SAHIWAL: The Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) has criticised the Higher Education Department (HED) for a delay in promoting over 430 college lecturers to the position of Assistant Professor (Grade 17 to 18) of the general cadre.

PPLA President Faiza Raana, speaking to divisional delegations in Sahiwal, said the promotion orders have been pending despite the DPC’s approval, and no one in the HED or the Chief Minister’s Secretariat is aware of the orders’ whereabouts.

She said that it was previously routine for the HED to promote and adjust general cadre college teachers from grade 17 to 18 at their current postings after the approval of minutes from the DPC. “No dislocation was done and mostly seats were adjusted at the choice of promoted persons,” she said, noting that this policy has been in place since 2016.

HED sources told Dawn that letter No 31764 was sent to the CM’s office to issue the promotion orders. Yet, after more than four months, no promotion orders have been issued.

Hafiz Ramzan, PPLA president of Sargodha division, urged the HED to release the promotion orders from Grade 17 to 18.

Ms Raana said she had met with HED Secretary Farukah Naveed but no progress had been made. She demanded that the chief minister prioritise issuing the promotion orders.

She also called for appointing a dedicated HED minister to manage the affairs of over 18,000 college teachers of 823 public colleges in Punjab. Currently, Minister for School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat handles HED-related queries in the Punjab Assembly.

She also demanded filling of vacant positions, including over 400 principals in public sector colleges and chairmen of seven boards.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024