Senate Questions 25-Year VC Rule, Pushes for Transparent Leadership at PIFD

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has approved significant amendments to the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) Act, introducing sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and standardized governance at one of the country’s premier design institutions.

Chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, the committee reviewed a compliance report on PIFD’s internal operations that raised alarm over governance concerns—particularly the extended tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, who has held office for over 25 years.

Terming the duration “excessive and detrimental to institutional independence,” Senator Butt remarked, “When a person remains in power this long, the system stops functioning properly and becomes centered on the individual.”

In a decisive move, the committee approved an amendment capping the Vice Chancellor’s tenure at four years, with no provision for extension. However, former VCs may reapply through a competitive, transparent process overseen by a Search Committee—intended to curb favoritism and ensure merit-based leadership.

The committee also addressed administrative delays caused by the absence of the Chancellor—currently the President of Pakistan—in presiding over Senate meetings. To avoid such bottlenecks, the revised law empowers the Pro-Chancellor, the Federal Minister for Education, to chair meetings when the Chancellor is unavailable.

In line with the federal government’s push for inclusive governance, the committee adopted a provision ensuring 33 percent representation of women in PIFD’s Senate, reflecting the Prime Minister’s directive to promote gender equity in leadership roles across federal institutions.

Further, the reforms align PIFD’s governance framework with the Federal Universities Ordinance 2002, promoting uniform standards across all federally chartered universities. Chairperson Butt also called for a detailed list of federal educational institutions where vice chancellors have served more than two terms, signaling a broader effort to address long-standing governance irregularities.

During the session, it was noted that PIFD’s representative was delayed but remained in communication with the Ministry of Education regarding the meeting agenda.

The report was published in the Minit Mirror, a newspaper based in Islamabad, and has been reproduced by PenPK.com.