It seems that the term \u201ccourt orders\u201d needs to be replaced with \u201ccourt suggestions,\u201d given how frequently governments and individuals across Pakistan are resisting judicial rulings. The government\u2019s long-standing dispute with the Supreme Court over the reserved seat case is one example, but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is also embroiled in a case of judicial defiance within its own borders. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this ongoing issue relates to the appointment of vice-chancellors at various public sector universities in the province.
\nAs such coveted appointments are rare and highly sought after, it is unsurprising that a storm has erupted over these positions. The situation can be traced back to the province\u2019s Higher Education Department, which made unauthorised changes it wasn\u2019t supposed to, followed by a provincial government reluctant to comply with court rulings. As a result, more than 19 public sector universities in the province are operating without an acting vice chancellor, hampering daily operations and turning what should be a straightforward decision based on academic performance and merit into one of political favouritism and maneuvering.
\nThe fact that the Peshawar High Court had to initiate contempt proceedings against the provincial chief secretary and three other officials demonstrates the extent of the government\u2019s entanglement in this crisis. While the federal issue revolves around the constitution and its interpretation, the case in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is far simpler. The provincial government is simply refusing to enforce a clearly worded court order.
\nThe government\u2019s hopes that its own people might benefit are evident. However, regardless of who ultimately prevails, 19 public sector universities urgently need their vice chancellors. It is time for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to stop favouring its own members and allies and prioritise the education of the province\u2019s students, who are suffering from the absence of effective leadership in their institutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It seems that the term \u201ccourt orders\u201d needs to be replaced with \u201ccourt suggestions,\u201d given how frequently governments and individuals across Pakistan are resisting judicial rulings. The government\u2019s long-standing dispute with the Supreme Court over the reserved seat case is one example, but the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is also embroiled in a case of judicial […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-438619","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-editorial"},"yoast_head":"\n