The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered a thorough inquiry into 228 alleged UAF illegal recruitments at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The case has drawn attention because it covers appointments at every level of the university, from lower-grade staff to professors, and raises questions about merit and transparency in public-sector hiring.
Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the order on Monday while hearing petitions filed by Professor Ehsan Qadir Bhaba and others. After hearing arguments from all sides, the court directed the university syndicate to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the appointments of all 228 people.
What the Court Has Ordered
According to the court’s direction, the inquiry will examine the legality, merit and transparency of the recruitments across all grades, from Grade 1 to Grade 22. This means the probe will not be limited to senior academic posts but will also look into administrative and support staff appointments made during the same period.
The court also said that all 228 individuals must be given an opportunity to be heard during the inquiry. This ensures that the process follows due process, and that no employee is removed or cleared without their side of the story being recorded by the syndicate.
The court was told that government jobs cannot be filled through illegal or non-transparent recruitment processes. This principle is at the center of the case, as public universities are funded by the state and are required to follow advertised, merit-based hiring procedures for every post.
The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad is one of the oldest and largest agricultural universities in the region and employs a large number of faculty and staff. Because of its size, any irregularity in recruitment affects not only the individuals appointed but also deserving candidates who may have been denied a fair chance. It can also affect the university’s budget, as salaries for 228 employees are a significant long-term cost for a public institution.
Allegations Against the Appointments
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the appointments, ranging from lower-grade staff to professors, had been made unlawfully. He told the court that former vice-chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan issued notifications for all the disputed appointments on the night of his retirement.
The lawyer added that the Punjab governor, who is the chancellor of public universities in the province, had already directed the syndicate to investigate the matter. He also alleged that the appointees were trying to obstruct the inquiry and were seeking protection through court orders. With the LHC’s latest direction, the syndicate is now expected to move ahead with the full investigation.
For job seekers in Punjab, the case is a reminder of why transparent recruitment matters. Candidates who apply for government posts, whether at universities, schools or departments, should always apply through official advertisements and keep records of their test and interview results. Those interested in teaching roles can follow the Punjab School Teacher Intern recruitment 2026 process, which is conducted online on a merit basis. Students of Punjab’s public universities can also read about the UHS MDCAT 2026 recount portal and the latest HEC decision on ADP admissions.
The outcome of the syndicate inquiry could decide the future of all 228 employees. We will update this story once the inquiry report is submitted or the court takes up the case again.
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