Questions Raised Over Registrar Appointment at Lahore College for Women University, Critics Say Maryam Nawaz’s Vision Overlooked

Lahore (Pakistan News Online) The appointment of a new Registrar at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) has sparked controversy, with concerns being raised over transparency, merit, and the promotion of women in leadership roles.

According to a notification issued by the Punjab Higher Education Department, Mahmood Ali, son of Abdul Sattar, has been appointed as the Registrar of LCWU on a three-year contract with immediate effect.

However, sources within academic circles have questioned the selection process, alleging that merit was compromised during the recruitment. They claim that despite a qualified female candidate reportedly securing the second position on the shortlist, the candidate ranked fifth was ultimately appointed. Sources further allege that the selection results were influenced by the Vice Chancellor through favoritism and personal preferences.

Academics argue that if a qualified and merit-based female candidate was available for a senior administrative position such as Registrar, appointing a male candidate appears inconsistent with the core purpose of a women’s university and its mission to promote women’s leadership.

According to education experts, women’s universities are not only meant to provide education to female students but also to empower women by enabling them to occupy key leadership and decision-making positions. They believe that a female Registrar would be better positioned to understand and address the academic, administrative, and welfare-related concerns of female students and staff.

Sources further contend that if a deserving female candidate was indeed overlooked despite meeting the merit criteria, the decision would be at odds with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s stated vision of women’s empowerment and increasing female representation in public institutions.

They maintain that appointments to such important positions should be conducted through a transparent and merit-based process while promoting women’s leadership in higher education.

The university administration has not issued any official response regarding the matter.