PESHAWAR – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to complete permanent vice chancellor appointments in KP within two weeks, putting an end to a months-long leadership vacuum that has disrupted academic and administrative functions in the province’s universities.
Dismissing the provincial government’s civil petition for leave to appeal (CPLA), the apex court upheld the merit-based selection process completed under the caretaker setup. The ruling has been hailed as a major relief for students, faculty members, and higher education stakeholders who have long waited for stability.
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The crisis began in October 2023 when the caretaker government, after securing clearance from the Election Commission of Pakistan, conducted interviews and shortlisted three candidates for each university. The recommendations were sent to the governor for approval. However, the newly elected PTI government rejected the process in July 2024, issued new advertisements, and constituted a fresh search committee, triggering legal backlash.
Affected candidates challenged the move in the Peshawar High Court, which declared the new process illegal and directed the government to proceed with vice chancellor appointments in KP based on the earlier interviews. The government’s appeal to the Supreme Court was also struck down, as the court ruled that once the search committee had completed its task and forwarded names to the governor, restarting the process was unlawful.
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At present, 25 out of 34 public universities in KP lack permanent vice chancellors. A total of 26 universities are currently being run by acting heads, causing serious delays in decision-making, research planning, and institutional development.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has paved the way for immediate appointments in 19 universities, while the rest are expected to follow soon. The verdict has revived hope across campuses that have been caught in administrative limbo.
By restoring the original selection process, the court has reinforced the importance of merit and continuity in academic governance. With vice chancellor appointments in KP now under strict judicial order, the province’s universities may finally return to a path of progress, innovation, and academic stability.
