By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Khairpur was facing a controversy over alleged irregularities in its 2022 selection board for appointing lecturers and professors. The board had allegedly followed grave irregularities, including the appointment of 70 candidates despite only 12 passing scrutiny.
Many candidates challenged the selection in court, and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) also objected to the process. The selection process lacked proper scrutiny, with candidates being appointed as grade 18 lecturers, grade 19 assistant professors, grade 20 associate professors and grade 21 professors without the necessary documents or PhD degrees.
Multiple candidates had taken the matter to court, challenging the legitimacy of the entire process. The HEC had raised serious concerns about the selection, highlighting non-compliance with established standards. In February 2025, the Chief Minister of Sindh ordered an inquiry by the HEC and the termination of jobs obtained through irregular means.
However, nine months after the orders from the Sindh chief minister, the vice chancellor, Dr Muhammad Yousuf Khushk, had yet to act on them. Sources suggested there had been an internal understanding between the vice chancellor and members of the teaching community involved in the 2022 selection board: that the VC would not conduct the inquiry, and in return SALUTA would not protest against him, potentially allowing him to complete his tenure.
The situation highlighted growing concerns about academic integrity, transparency and accountability within the university’s administration. After receiving directives from the chief minister, the vice chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur constituted a seven-member scrutiny committee on 11 February 2025.
It included the PVC as convener and other members such as concerned deans, the focal person of the university’s Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), the focal person of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), representatives of the university and board, and representatives of the federal and Sindh HEC. The committee was tasked with re-evaluating and re-examining all cases of the selection board concerning the appointment of teaching and non-teaching posts at Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur in line with HEC standards and university rules.
Meanwhile, in a Senate meeting of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, the house unanimously agreed that, in the interest of institutional transparency, accountability and integrity, investigations should be carried out wherever necessary regarding the 2022 selection board, administrative decisions and financial matters.
The situation again raised concerns about academic integrity, transparency and accountability within the university’s administration, underscoring the need for prompt action. When contacted for comment on the alleged irregularities in the 2022 selection board, the SALU Khairpur vice chancellor did not respond despite a message left on his number.
