JSMU Syndicate approves retention of professor beyond retirement

Government cites public interest for retaining Dr Nighat Shah; doctors raise questions over implications for faculty promotions

IV Report

KARACHI: The Sindh government has directed the Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) to appoint Prof Dr Nighat Ali Shah as Professor for three years after her retirement from government service, with the university’s Syndicate subsequently approving the notification concerning her appointment.

The decision has raised questions within the university community over the manner in which the post-retirement appointment has been processed and its possible implications for senior faculty members awaiting promotions and other career-related benefits.

Dr Shah was due to attain the age of superannuation on August 12. In a memorandum issued on August 8, JSMU formally notified that she would stand retired from government service with effect from that date after attaining the age of 60.

Two days later, however, the Universities and Boards Department communicated the Sindh Cabinet’s decision concerning her continued appointment. The department said the matter had been considered in the “larger public interest” to ensure continuity of specialised healthcare services, academic leadership, postgraduate medical education, research, innovation and institutional excellence.

The department directed the Vice Chancellor to take “immediate necessary action” for the appointment of Prof Dr Shah as Professor for three years, sought a compliance report on priority and ordered implementation without delay.

The directive also referred to the prescribed procedure contained in a May 19, 2026 notification of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), which allows public-sector medical and dental institutions to engage retired faculty members up to the age of 65 on a “purely contractual basis”, subject to institutional requirements and applicable rules and policies.

The PM&DC notification further states that each institution remains competent to decide the engagement of retired faculty in accordance with its own requirements, governing statutes, rules, regulations and availability of resources.

Following receipt of the government directive, the JSMU administration placed the matter before its Syndicate. Asked about the university’s position, the Vice Chancellor briefly responded that the university had “complied with the directive from administrative department”. In a subsequent response, the university said: “Syndicate approved. Notification issued.”

The university administration was approached repeatedly for clarification on the exact status of Dr Shah following her retirement, including whether the arrangement constituted a contractual reappointment and the terms under which she would continue to serve. The university’s responses confirmed compliance with the government directive and Syndicate approval, but did not provide further details.

The sequence of the two decisions has, however, left an important administrative question unanswered: whether Dr Shah is being retained through an extension, reappointed on a contractual basis after retirement, or allowed to continue under another arrangement.

The distinction is relevant because the PM&DC framework envisages engagement of retired faculty on a contractual basis according to the requirements and governing rules of the respective institution, while the government directive specifically called for “appointment” of Dr Shah as Professor for three years.

The issue has also drawn a representation from a group of doctors concerned about the appointment. Their concerns, which have also surfaced on social media, include the possible implications for senior faculty members who are awaiting promotions and other career-related benefits.

Some observers of university affairs said the number and status of faculty members awaiting promotion, and whether Dr Shah’s appointment would have any direct effect on their cases, would need to be established independently by the university.

The matter consequently goes beyond the continuation of an individual professor and touches upon the broader question of how post-superannuation faculty appointments are to be accommodated within an autonomous public-sector medical university, particularly where institutional requirements, seniority, sanctioned positions and promotion processes are involved.

With the Syndicate having approved the notification, the immediate administrative process appears to have moved forward. The remaining questions, observers said, concern the precise terms of the three-year appointment, its conformity with the applicable institutional framework and its implications for other faculty members.

Photos and images: JSMU, Sources