A new move by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) to check university recruitment at 10 public sector universities has triggered a serious legal debate. PHEC has formed a four-member committee to review the proceedings of selection boards that hired teachers and staff, but vice chancellors and senior academics say the commission has no clear legal power to do so. The issue matters for every lecturer, assistant professor and job candidate who has applied to these universities.
PHEC Committee to Review University Recruitment
According to a report published on 18 October 2026, PHEC has set up a committee to examine selection board decisions case by case. The committee will check whether hiring followed the relevant laws, rules and recruitment criteria. It can obtain records, ask universities for written clarifications and recommend corrective measures. It has been given 14 days to submit its report.
Members of the committee
- Dr Asif Munir, Director Quality Assurance
- Javed Aamir Malik, Director Research
- Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan, Director Accreditation
- Sidra Ali, Assistant Director
Which Universities Are Under Review?
The review covers selection board proceedings at these 10 public sector universities:
| No. | University | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Layyah | Layyah |
| 2 | University of Sargodha | Sargodha |
| 3 | University of Kamalia | Kamalia |
| 4 | Thal University | Bhakkar |
| 5 | University of Gujrat | Gujrat |
| 6 | Emerson University | Multan |
| 7 | Government College Women University | Sialkot |
| 8 | Punjab Tianjin University of Technology | Lahore |
| 9 | University of Home Economics | Lahore |
| 10 | Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & IT | Rahim Yar Khan |
A committee member said PHEC acted after receiving several complaints against the selection boards of these universities.
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Why the Legality Is Being Questioned
The debate centres on the PHEC Act 2014. Section 10 of the Act allows the commission to monitor institutions, carry out performance audits, issue governance guidelines, ensure quality assurance and collect data. However, critics point out that it does not expressly give PHEC the power to scrutinise selection boards or review their decisions.
A committee member defended the step by citing Sections 10(e) and 10(w), which deal with governance guidelines and collecting information and statistics. Critics say these clauses are too general to cover a review of hiring decisions.
What university officials say
- A vice chancellor of a public university said the move goes against university Acts, and PHEC has no legal authority over selection boards.
- A senior dean said the committee lacks a clear legal basis and questioned whether universities are even bound to hand over records. He urged the Punjab government to examine PHEC’s mandate.
- Officials argue that any scrutiny should follow university laws and be done by a legally empowered authority.
As an example, the University of Sargodha Act 2002 (Section 10) allows the Chancellor, who is the Governor of Punjab, to call for and examine records of university bodies. Officials say this is the proper supervisory route.
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What It Means for Teachers and Job Candidates
This dispute could affect many people. Faculty recruitment at these universities may slow down while the review is pending, and some appointments could face questions if the committee finds rule violations. On the other hand, candidates who felt they were treated unfairly may see this as a chance for their complaints to be heard.
Candidates and newly appointed teachers should:
- Keep copies of their application, test results and interview letters.
- Follow official notifications from their university and PHEC.
- Raise complaints through the university’s legal forums or the Chancellor’s office if needed.
Readers interested in fresh university vacancies can also check our post on Punjab University education faculty jobs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PHEC form the committee?
PHEC says it received several complaints against selection boards at 10 universities.
How long does the committee have?
It must submit its report within 14 days.
Does PHEC have the power to review selection boards?
This is disputed. Critics say the PHEC Act 2014 does not expressly give this power, while PHEC cites Sections 10(e) and 10(w).
Conclusion
Transparent university recruitment is essential for quality higher education, but the process of checking it must also be lawful. The outcome of this row will shape how hiring at Punjab’s public universities is monitored in the future. Read the original report on Dawn.
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