Eight Sindh public university vice chancellors seek extensions as tenures near end

The vice chancellors of eight public-sector universities in Sindh have reportedly begun efforts to secure extensions as their first terms in office are set to expire over the coming months.

The vice chancellors of eight public-sector universities in Sindh have reportedly begun efforts to secure extensions as their first terms in office are set to expire over the coming months.

The development follows the reported extension granted to Professor Dr Nusrat Shah, vice chancellor of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana and daughter of former Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

According to reports, the first four-year term of Dr Nusrat Shah is due to end on January 1, 2027. Sources at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House said a summary seeking her extension has reached the chief minister while reports suggest that approval may already have been granted. However, the reported approval has not been independently confirmed.

The extension issue is expected to become a major challenge for the Sindh government which serves as the controlling authority for public universities in the province.

Sources said that the reported development regarding Dr Nusrat Shah has encouraged other vice chancellors whose tenures are also approaching completion to seek extensions.

The vice chancellors of several universities are expected to complete their current terms between January and March 2027. Among them are Dr Iqbal Uddin Aijaz of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Jamshoro and Dr Zahid Hussain Khand of Aror University of Art, Architecture, Design and Heritage Sukkur. Their five-year terms are expected to end on January 1 and January 19, 2027, respectively.

Sources said summaries concerning their possible extensions could also be forwarded to the provincial government soon.

The report also mentions a controversy involving Dr Iqbaluddin Aijaz with questions reportedly being raised over multiple gold medals awarded to his son at the university. The issue could potentially affect consideration of his extension, according to sources.

Other university heads whose terms are approaching completion include Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro University Vice Chancellor Arabela Bhutto, IBA Sukkur Vice Chancellor Dr Asif Sheikh, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Vice Chancellor Dr Taha Hussain, Nusrat Bhutto Women University Sukkur Vice Chancellor Tehmina Nungraj and Dawood University of Engineering and Technology Karachi Vice Chancellor Dr Samreen Hussain.

The provincial government has recently extended the tenure of only one vice chancellor, Dr Amjad Siraj Memon of Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Meanwhile, extension proposals for Dr Khalid Iraqi and Dr Farooq Hassan have reportedly been rejected.

The emerging situation is likely to place further attention on the Sindh government’s policy for appointing and extending the terms of public university vice chancellors.