LAHORE: The Punjab government has appointed a junior most doctor as pro-vice chancellor of the King Edward Medical University in sheer violation of the institution`s Act.

The development also triggered a legal debate as nine seniors were bypassed to fill the second top position of the country`s oldest and prestigious medical institution.

The KEMU is known worldwidefor producing hundreds of highly qualified and experienced physiclans, surgeons and teachers.

The Punjab government has issued notification of posting of Professor of Orthopaedics Dr Qazi Saeed as Pro-VC for a period of three years from a panel of three candidates. The two other contenders included KEMU Institute of Ophthalmology Professor Dr Asad Aslam Khan and Professor of Medicine of the same institute, Dr Irshad Husain Qureshi. The panel was sent to the chief minister for final consideration two months back while the notification was issued a couple of days ago.

The post had fallen vacant in August 2014 after completion of the tenure of Prof Asad Aslam asPro-VC of the KEMU.

An official who is privy to the information told Dawn that the Punjab government not only violated the KEMU Act but also `blatantly` ignored three top most senior medics who were eligible for the slot.

He said their names were not recommended in the panel for the slot despite having academic achievement and distinction in their relevant disciplines.

The KEMU (Amendment) Act 2012 clearly states that the pro-vice chancellor of the varsity shall be from amongst three senior most professors of the institute. A copy of the act is also available with Dawn.

Amendment of section 15 of ActV of 2005 says, `The chancellor shall nominate the pro-vice chancellor of the university, from amongst three senior most professors of the university, for a term of three years.

`The pro-vice chancellor shall perform such functions as may be assigned to him under this Act, statutes or regulations.

The official said of the three senior medics Chairman of KEMU Orthopaedic Surgery Prof Dr Syed Muhammad Awais was at the top of the list. He was awarded Sitara-iImtiaz in 2004 for rendering services in the field of medical education and research. Prof Awais was being considered first choice for the slot as he has also worked as pro-VC of the KEMU from April2006 to August 2010.

Chairman of KEMU Dermatology Department Prof Dr Atif Hasnain Kazmi was the second most senior medical teacher who was ignored for the post despite the fact that he had been awarded Grade 21 on account of his meritorious services in the discipline.

Similarly, Professor & Chairman Department of Surgery Dr Arshad Cheema, who was founding president of the Cancer Surgeons Association in Pakistan, was not considered for the slot.

He had worked as chief division of surgery at affiliated Mayo Hospital, Lahore, and additionally as professor and head of Department of Clinical Oncology at the Mayo. Prof Cheema who was hopeful of being considered for the post, however, retired from service in the last week of February this year.

The other medics who were not discussed for the slot despite being senior to Prof Qazi Saeed included Professor of ENT Dr Mansoor Baseer Pal, Professor of Cardiology Dr Muhammad Azhar, Professor of Gynaecology Dr Tabinda Rana, Professor of Dermatology Dr Sabrina Sohail Pal, Professor of Paediatrics Dr Akmal Laeeg Chisti and Professor of Urology Dr Imtiaz Akhtar Bajwa.

The official claimed that the chief minister had earlier finalised name of Prof Asad Aslam for the slot and recommended it to the Punjab governor/chancellor of the KEMU who also accorded approval to the summary in the last week of February.

However, he said, the Punjab government later amended the summary and recommended Prof Qazi Saeed. The case was sent to the Punjab governor whoapproved the name.

He said the appointment of Prof Qazi as pro-VC of the KEMU sent a wave of shock among the senior faculty of the institute as he (Prof Qazi) had also done graduation from Nishtar Medical College, Multan, after VC Prof Dr Faisal Masood.

Now the two top positions of the KEMU have been clinched by the Nishtarians (Nishtar Medical College) and the Kemcolians were feeling `sidelined.

The official said some of the medics might move the court to challenge the decision of the Punjab government.

When contacted Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik said KEMU Vice Chancellor Prof Faisal Masood had recommended the panel of three senior medics for the slot.

He said the Punjab government appointed one of them and the appointment process was carried out on merit.

When asked about the KEMU (Amended) ACT 2012 and its violation, he refused to comment on the issue saying that the appointment was made on merit.