SC while declaring application maintainable on not appointing VCs in govt universities on permanent basis issues notices to parties

ISLAMABAD, April 1 (SABAH): Supreme Court of Pakistan while declaring the application maintainable on not appointing vice chancellors in government universities on permanent basis, has issued notices to the concerned parties and sought reply.

While giving remarks, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that they don’t make policy as it is not our job and added in the past much had been done in the court. He said he is against interference in policy matters as it is not our job.

He said did the lawyer not say that 50,000 teachers of universities are very poor people and they will pray for you. He said becoming associate professor of a lecturer is not a matter of public interest but it is matter of personal interest while the court declining to issue notice to president on the application. The court while putting aside objections has directed the office to number the application. The court adjourned hearing of the petition till two months.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan conducted hearing on the matter. Petitions were filed by President All Pakistan BPS Teachers Association Dr. Samiur Rehman.

In the petitions, centre, chairman HEC, secretary federal ministry and Professional Training Pakistan secretariat were made parties. From petitioner side, lawyer Muhammad Umar Ejaz Geelani appeared before the court and presented the arguments. Chief Justice while addressing the lawyer asked what objections were on the petition. The lawyer replied that petitioner All Pakistan BPS Teachers  Association is a representative organization of 50,000 teachers of universities from across the country.

The Chief Justice asked what is number of public universities in the country. To this, the lawyer replied that total number of public sector universities is 147 of which more than 60 universities have no permanent vice chancellors. The lawyer said we have made provinces and the centre parties in the petitions.

Chief Justice asked for how long these positions are vacant. The lawyer replied these posts are vacant from one year. Chief Justice asked whether there are no qualified teachers or some other reason that these positions have been lying vacant. The lawyer replied it is not so that capable professors are not there to fill these positions.

The CJP asked the petitioner that they cannot issue notice to President of Pakistan which is why the petitioner should make federal government as party. He further said they wanted solution of the matter. While dictating the order the CJP said that 61 universities have no vice chancellors and it is due to interference of federal and provincial governments. This matter falls under 184-3 and it is matter of public importance as well as matter of implementation of fundamental human rights, he said.

The CJP said that the Parliament while terming education important matter, education till 16 years have been declared free of cost. The court termed that objection of registrar office is overruled and petition is approved for hearing.