Dr Naushad Ahmed Shaikh, chairman of the Charter Inspection & Evaluation Committee (CIEC), has stepped down from his position as a member of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC) after completing his four-year term.
Dr Shaikh has been succeeded by Dr Sahibzada Farooq Ahmad Rafiqi, a 73-year-old former pro vice chancellor of the NED University. With this appointment, the NED University now has two representatives on the SHEC, as Vice Chancellor Dr Sarosh Lodhi is already serving on the commission.
Sources indicate that the position of CIEC chairman had been vacant for an extended period. Until a formal appointment was made last year, the chairperson of the SHEC held the position on an interim basis.
A commission meeting unanimously decided to temporarily appoint Dr Shaikh, then a member of the SHEC, as CIEC chairman, granting him full delegated authority.
However, after Dr Shaikh’s term as a commission member expired, SHEC Chairperson Prof Dr SM Tariq Rafi submitted three names to the chief minister for consideration on September 23.
The list included Dr Shaikh, Dr Rafiqi and Dr Iqbal Chaudhry.
CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, an alumnus of the NED University, approved Dr Rafiqi’s appointment to the commission for a four-year term.
According to sources, Dr Rafiqi may also assume the role of CIEC chairman. Additionally, there is speculation that he can potentially succeed Dr Rafi as SHEC chairperson when his four-year term concludes in approximately a year and a half.