Karachi: Professor Dr Nighat Shah of Jinnah Sindh Medical University has been directed to be appointed as a professor for another three years under a provincial cabinet decision, just one day before her retirement.
Secretary Boards and Universities Abbas Baloch has also issued a formal notification in this regard. However, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council notification cited as the basis for the appointment specifically states that allowing public medical and dental institutions to hire retired faculty on a contractual basis is “enabling in nature”. It does not constitute a mandatory or binding direction for any institution, and the concerned institution is authorised to make its own decision according to its needs, rules, regulations and available resources.
The notification refers to agenda item 16 of the provincial cabinet meeting held on August 5 and states that the cabinet directed the vice chancellor to consider appointing Dr Nighat Shah as a professor at JSMU for three years in the “larger public interest”, citing the continuity of specialised medical services, academic leadership, postgraduate medical education, research, innovation and institutional standards.
However, in the following portion of the letter, the wording of “considering” the appointment effectively turns into a formal directive, with the vice chancellor instructed to take immediate necessary action for the appointment of Professor Dr Nighat Shah as a professor for three years.
The letter further directs that the cabinet decision be implemented “without delay and in letter and spirit”, while a report on the action taken must be submitted to the Department of Universities and Boards on a priority basis.
Meanwhile, the text of the May 19, 2026 notification of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, which has been cited as the basis for the appointment, raises important questions regarding the government’s directive.
The PM&DC had allowed public medical and dental institutions to engage retired faculty members purely on a contractual basis until the age of 65. However, it had clearly stated that the decision would not be mandatory for any institution.
The official PM&DC website also confirms the issuance of the public notice concerning public medical and dental institutions on May 19, 2026.
The PM&DC notification also clearly states that such contractual appointments of retired faculty would not create any right to permanent appointment, seniority or permanent absorption into service. It further states that such appointments should not affect the promotion prospects, career progression or cadre structure of junior faculty members.
The notification also raises questions over why the appointment of a specific retired faculty member was taken to the provincial cabinet when the PM&DC had left the decision to the concerned university. Questions have also been raised over why the cabinet sought immediate action on a specific name and demanded a report on implementation. In particular, the PM&DC notification does not order the appointment of any specific individual but establishes a general policy for all public medical and dental institutions.
The appointment of Dr Nighat Shah is also feared to affect the seniority of Associate Professor Dr Shazia Naseeb, Dr Nasreen Fatima, Dr Saba Khan, Dr Iram Majid and Dr Maimoona Rehman.
