Governor, CM disagree over VCs’ appointments

LAHORE: Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif have developed differences over the appointment of Vice Chancellors of Universities in Punjab.

According to Geo News, the governor stated that if things could not move ahead, the leadership should set PPP free. He was reported to have stated it was unfair on part of the PMLN leadership to consider its appointment as an appointment made on merit and considers appointment or suggestion from others as the violation of merit. The TV channel further quoted the Governor Punjab as saying that three names are sent in alphabetical orders. The Governor stated the CM wanted approval of one name adding he was not satisfied over the selection of VCs.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, while giving a rebuttal on a statement of the Punjab governor, has said the work of the governor is to assent to the steps and decisions being taken by the Punjab Assembly and the Punjab cabinet. In a statement issued here on Thursday, she said the governor was not empowered to overrule the decisions of the Punjab cabinet. He remained a former federal minister and should be well aware of the importance of the cabinet decisions. She said the cabinet approved the Selection Committee for the Appointment of Vice Chancellors of Universities. The committee interviewed all the aspiring candidates to be appointed as vice chancellors and recommended the names of eligible, senior and experienced educationists. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf indulged only in political point-scoring. The governor, instead of playing the role of opposition, should let the governorship be limited to the constitutional post only.