The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has expressed serious concern over prolonged delays in appointments across universities and directed all higher education institutions to complete recruitment against vacant posts by August 15, 2026.
In a circular issued by HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, vice chancellors, rectors and heads of institutes were told that the persistent non-filling of key statutory, administrative and faculty positions has disrupted academic continuity, research supervision, institutional decision-making and student support services.
The advisory noted that vacancies exist at senior administrative levels including pro vice chancellors, deans, registrars, controllers of examinations and treasurers as well as across the teaching cadre, from lecturers and assistant professors to associate professors and professors.
The absence of timely, merit-based appointments, it said, has forced institutions to rely on prolonged ad hoc arrangements, weakening governance and operational control. Citing findings of a recent survey, the HEC said nearly 40 per cent of administrative and faculty positions in universities nationwide are currently vacant, terming the situation a serious risk to the higher education system. Universities have been instructed to advertise and fill all vacant posts in accordance with their respective statutes, ensuring transparency, merit and procedural propriety at every stage.
The commission further directed institutions to expedite all pending recruitment cases, initiate the creation of posts where appointments are stalled due to non-availability of sanctioned seats, and ensure that no eligible candidate is denied appointment due to administrative inertia or delays in convening statutory bodies.
Warning of consequences for non-compliance, the HEC said any delay in finalising recruitment processes or convening selection boards would be viewed seriously and could invite administrative and regulatory action.
