LAHORE: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and certain candidates have criticised the formation of the search committee for three medical varsities` vice chancellors (VCs), saying that its members do not belong to the medical profession.

The five-member search committee, notified by the Punjab government, has Punjab Health Minister Khwaja Salman Rafique as convener, while its members are Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education SecretaryNajamShah,retired Justice Amir Raza Khan, former University of Engineering and Technology VC retired Gen Muhammad Akram and retired civil servant Sibtain Fazal Haleem.

`We demand that the search committee be made on merit since the matter isrelated to the future of hundreds of postgraduate students,` PMA General Secretary Dr Rana Wajid said. He said such controversial practices had driven the health department from bad to worse.

Dr Wajid said the members had no technical knowhow about medical education.

About the members of the committee, he said the secretary and the minister were government`s representatives whereas the three other members also had sof t corner for the rulers.

`How will they resist the government in the selection of candidates for the medical universities?` he said.

He suggested that three former VCs or retired senior medical teachers be included in the committee.A majority of medical teachers, retired VCs of public medical institutions and a few candidates for the VC slot also rejectedthe selection body.

`Are you going to select a VC for a medical university or a political worker for a party?` said a visibly annoyed candidate, requesting anonymity.

The candidate said why an engineer was included in the committee and why not a doctor.

He said the high-powered board of all non-medical professionals had sent a wave of disappointment among most of the candidates. Up to 35 medical teachers, including former VCs and principals of public medical institutions, have applied for for the top slots of varsities.

The candidate said no one would take up issue with the authorities fearing committee`s revenge in the selection.

He alleged the candidates were now exploring the right connections in Chief Minister`s Secretariat to win over the body members.