Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui summoned over PIFD VC extension controversy

The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has sought detailed answers from the Pakistan Institute of Fashion

Islamabad:  The Senate Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges has sought detailed answers from the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design regarding a growing dispute involving Vice Chancellor Hina Tayyaba Khalil, the institute’s leadership, its search for a new Vice Chancellor and the role of Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

The committee took up the issue under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt moved a motion concerning Hina Tayyaba Khalil and also raised wider concerns about the administration of PIFD. The committee decided to seek records about the Vice Chancellor’s appointment and any extension of her tenure and ordered that several PIFD representatives appear before it personally at the next meeting.

Senator Bushra Anjum Butt told the committee that Hina Tayyaba Khalil’s tenure had ended and questioned her continued presence in the office. She also raised concerns about the process for selecting a new Vice Chancellor and said the sister of the sitting Vice Chancellor was among the people being considered for the post.

Bushra Anjum Butt said that Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui had repeatedly supported the Vice Chancellor. She said the minister had convened a meeting in which an extension for Hina Tayyaba Khalil was discussed and that she had questioned the decision in the Senate.

According to the discussion before the committee, correspondence from the Presidency directed the minister to act on behalf of the President, who is Chancellor of PIFD, on the issue. The communication included a direction to consider assigning the duties of acting Vice Chancellor to another senior and eligible officer and also indicated that the search committee for appointment of a new Vice Chancellor could be reconstituted.

Bushra Anjum Butt said a meeting was later held with the minister present and that the Presidency’s representative was also there. She said she asked Hina Tayyaba Khalil to leave the room while the matter concerning her was being discussed. According to the senator, PIFD Senate member and fashion designer Deepak Perwani opposed the request. The senator said a heated exchange followed.

She further alleged that remarks were exchanged during the meeting and that Sehar Saigol, another PIFD Senate member, also challenged her. The senator said the entire exchange was recorded and that the committee had sought the recording for examination.

The committee expressed serious displeasure over the failure of Deepak Perwani and Sehar Saigol to attend the committee meeting through video link despite being asked to do so. The chairman said both would be required to attend the next meeting in person. The committee also decided that 13 people who had signed a written response connected with the dispute would be summoned.

The committee chairman also directed the concerned ministry to bring complete records relating to the appointment of Hina Tayyaba Khalil and any extension granted to her. The next meeting is expected to include Federal Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, senior ministry officials and representatives of the Higher Education Commission.

The senator also objected to circulating allegations to many senior officials before the committee properly discussed the matter. She demanded a written apology if those allegations could not be supported with evidence.

The PIFD dispute has also raised questions about the process for appointing the next Vice Chancellor. The committee was told that PIFD already has provisions in its statutes for its search committee, with some members to be appointed by the President as Chancellor. The discussion also referred to a request from the Presidency for the search committee to be reconstituted after concerns were raised about the existing process.

The committee chairman said PIFD was an important public sector institution but expressed concern over allegations of favoritism in appointments and promotions. He said the committee would examine the matter on merit and would inform the President of Pakistan about the situation.

The chairman also criticised the way PIFD had circulated correspondence connected with the dispute. He said 13 individuals who signed a response sent to the Senate committee would be called to explain their position. The committee wants the matter examined through the official record rather than through competing claims outside the committee.

Senator Bushra Anjum Butt has repeatedly said that the complaints reaching her office are the reason she raised questions about PIFD. She has maintained that she was acting in her parliamentary role and that the allegations against her were not supported by evidence.

The committee has now decided to obtain the relevant appointment and extension records, examine the recorded proceedings of the disputed meeting and hear from the people involved. It has also sought the attendance of the federal ministers and other officials at the next meeting so that the questions surrounding PIFD can be addressed directly.