Peshawar — The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally set in motion the process for appointing vice chancellors at several public sector universities by constituting a dedicated seven-member committee, marking a key step toward restoring academic leadership and administrative stability in higher education institutions across the province.
According to an official notification issued by the Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Department, the committee has been established under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012, as amended, and has been tasked with overseeing the entire selection process in a transparent and merit-based manner.
The committee, headed by the special secretary for higher education as convenor, will examine applications, verify credentials and assess the eligibility of candidates aspiring to lead public universities. Authorities said the panel will strictly adhere to legal requirements and is also obligated to provide written reasons for the rejection or disqualification of any applicant, a move aimed at ensuring accountability and fairness.
Officials further clarified that members of the committee are barred from applying for the vice chancellor positions during their tenure on the panel, reinforcing safeguards against conflicts of interest and strengthening confidence in the process.
The appointments process will cover seven major public sector universities, including the University of Agriculture, Peshawar; Khyber Medical University; Benazir Bhutto Women’s University; University of Haripur; University of Malakand; University of Swat; and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal. Many of these institutions have been operating with interim leadership, which officials say has affected long-term planning and academic decision-making.
Sources in the department revealed that hundreds of applications have already been received, reflecting strong interest from the academic community. The committee has begun initial scrutiny and is expected to recommend suitable candidates to the competent authority after completing evaluations.
The provincial government views the move as part of broader reforms aimed at improving governance, academic standards and research output in KP’s higher education sector. Timely appointments, officials believe, will help universities regain momentum and better serve students and faculty alike.
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