Senior associate professors at Jinnah Sindh Medical University have written to Sindh’s chief minister and other officials over Dr Nighat Shah’s contractual reappointment.
KARACHI, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Several senior associate professors at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) have expressed concerns over the reappointment of Dr Nighat Shah and written to Sindh Chief Minister, the provincial health minister and other officials seeking attention to the matter.
According to Geo News Urdu, several affected professors sent a letter to the Sindh chief minister, Sindh health minister and the federal ombudsman.
Professors cite PMDC notification
In their letter, the professors claimed that the second paragraph of a Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) notification issued on May 19 had been overlooked.
They said the situation was affecting the promotions of six associate professors who were waiting for advancement.
The professors further alleged that the extension of Dr Nighat Shah’s tenure was made contrary to the PMDC’s stated instructions.
The concerns centre on whether the reappointment could have implications for the seniority and promotion prospects of existing faculty members.
Sindh government gives clarification
The spokesperson for the Sindh chief minister rejected the suggestion that Dr Nighat Shah’s reappointment would affect the seniority of existing officers.
According to the spokesperson, Dr Nighat Shah was reappointed on a contractual basis after her retirement.
The spokesperson said the contractual appointment would not affect the seniority of other officers serving at the institution.
The government representative also maintained that Dr Nighat Shah’s contractual appointment had no connection with the seniority or promotion of existing officers.
Dispute centres on promotions and seniority
The issue has therefore raised questions about the relationship between contractual appointments after retirement and the promotion structure for serving faculty members.
The professors’ letter seeks intervention from senior government officials, while the Sindh government’s position is that the contractual appointment does not affect the seniority or promotion prospects of current officers.
The matter remains a subject of concern among the affected faculty members, with the competing positions likely to require further clarification from the relevant authorities.
