National ( The cow news digital )
KARACHI: The Sindh provincial government has directed Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) to appoint Dr. Nighat Shah—daughter of former Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah—as a professor for a three-year period, just one day prior to her scheduled retirement.
Secretary Boards and Universities Abbas Baloch issued an official notification in light of a decision taken during a provincial cabinet meeting on August 5. Citing “broader public interest,” academic leadership, research, and continuity of specialized medical services, the directive instructs the JSMU Vice Chancellor to immediately process Dr. Nighat Shah’s appointment for three years and submit a compliance report without delay.
However, the appointment has drawn significant legal and administrative scrutiny. The provincial cabinet based its decision on a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) policy notification dated May 19, 2026. However, the PMDC regulation explicitly clarifies that allowing retired faculty to serve on contract up to age 65 is purely “enabling in nature”—meaning it serves as an optional guideline rather than a mandatory directive, leaving final decisions to individual institutions based on their specific needs and available resources.
Furthermore, PMDC guidelines explicitly mandate that contractual re-engagements of retired faculty must not infringe upon the career progression, seniority, or promotion prospects of junior faculty members. Observers note that Dr. Nighat Shah’s three-year tenure poses a direct threat to the seniority and career advancement of several associate professors, including Dr. Shazia Naseeb, Dr. Nasreen Fatima, Dr. Saba Khan, Dr. Iram Majid, and Dr. Maimoona Rehman.
The directive has raised serious questions regarding political executive overreach, as the provincial cabinet bypassed university autonomy to mandate the specific re-appointment of an individual, sparking widespread concern among medical faculty and academic circles.
