Serious irregularities have allegedly surfaced in the selection process for vice chancellors (VCs) of government medical universities in Punjab, with sources claiming that candidates were not provided details of their internal merit scores, 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday.
According to sources, 50 marks were allocated for academic qualifications, research, achievements and national awards, while another 50 marks were reserved for interviews.
However, candidates were allegedly not informed of the marks they received for their academic qualifications, research work and professional achievements, raising questions about transparency in the selection process.
Sources claimed that some candidates who secured relatively low marks in the internal merit assessment were given higher interview scores and shortlisted for the VC positions.
In contrast, candidates who topped the internal merit rankings were allegedly awarded lower interview marks and eliminated from the race.
Sources further alleged that personal preferences and connections influenced the selection process, claiming that personal physicians, former classmates and other individuals favoured by decision-makers were given preference.
It was also alleged that some candidates who had previously been removed from positions by the chief minister on grounds of alleged incompetence were nevertheless shortlisted for the vice chancellor posts.
Sources said the decision to raise the maximum age limit for candidates for medical university vice chancellors to 70 years also benefited a particular candidate.
The composition of the VC search committee has also come under criticism.
The five-member committee reportedly included three bureaucrats and a personal physician of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while no specialist in medical education was included.
The allegations have raised concerns over the transparency and credibility of the process for appointing heads of public-sector medical universities.
Punjab government has initiated the recruitment process for the selection of the new VCs of five medical universities.
These include UHS, King Edward Medical University, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Rawalpindi Medical University, and Faisalabad Medical University.
Reporter: Zahid Chaudhry