PEAHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has extended the stay order against the appointment of Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University (KMU) till 6 August and restrained the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government from issuing any notification in this regard, on Monday.
The Court directed the provincial government to inform the Court under which law it adopted the criteria. It said that the criteria already exist and the formula for marks is already in place. All records should be produced at the next hearing.
PHC two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Inamullah Khan heard the petition filed by petitioners Dr. A.H. Aamir and Dr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan.
When the hearing of the writ petition began, Additional Secretary Higher Education and Additional Advocate General appeared in Court, while Advocate Aamir Javed appeared on behalf of the petitioners.
The petitioners’ counsel told the Court that the petitioners, along with other candidates were shortlisted by the Academic Search Committee for the post of Vice Chancellor, Khyber Medical University. Interviews for this were conducted on 21 June 2026.
Advocate Aamir Javed told the Court that the entire appointment process was supposed to be carried out under the mandatory provisions of the Universities Act 2012, but everything was done contrary to it.
He contended that according to the law, 70% marks are allocated for academic qualification, research publications, administrative experience, leadership qualities and professional services, while only 30% marks are reserved for the interview. However, the Academic Search Committee allegedly adopted its own separate procedure and marking system contrary to the law, which raises questions on merit and transparency.
The lawyer said that the interview cannot be allowed to override a candidate’s academic and professional qualifications, and the merit formula laid down in the law must be implemented in all cases.
According to the counsel, deviation from the prescribed legal criteria in appointments to important public posts has in the past also led to disputes and court cases. Therefore, transparency demands that all candidates be informed beforehand about the assessment criteria and distribution of marks.
He told the Court that in view of concerns about irregularities, the petitioners sought details from the Academic Search Committee regarding the assessment procedure, marking formula and distribution of marks. However, no reply was given, which raises serious questions about the transparency of the appointment process.
He requested the Court to declare the actions contrary to the Universities Act 2012 as invalid, to annul the entire proceedings, and to carry out the appointment under a new transparent and merit-based procedure in accordance with the law.
During the hearing, the Court asked the Additional Secretary of Higher Education to inform the Court under what formula the interview process was completed. The PMDC law is in place which contains the procedure for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor.
On this, he sought time from the Court to provide the record. The Court adjourned further hearing till 6 August and restrained the government from issuing the notification for the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor.
