Faculty of COMSATS University Demands Immediate Appointment of Permanent Rector
ISLAMABAD – Faculty members at COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) have issued a strong appeal to the Chancellor, President of Pakistan, to immediately appoint a permanent Rector, warning that prolonged administrative instability is crippling governance and morale at the prestigious institution.
The Academic Staff Association (ASA-CUI), Islamabad Campus expressed grave concern over the post of Rector lying vacant since July 2023, forcing the university to rely on acting arrangements. According to faculty leaders, this vacuum has undermined transparency, weakened efficiency, and left major decisions hostage to interim management.
The matter reached a decisive stage on August 20, 2025, when the 8th (Special) Senate meeting of CUI, chaired by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi, finalized three candidates for the Rector’s office in accordance with the CUI Act 2018. The recommended names, listed in order of priority, are: Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Tufail, and Prof. Dr. Jamil Ahmed. These have been forwarded to the Chancellor’s office for final approval.
However, ASA-CUI accused “certain elements” of attempting to derail the process for vested interests, condemning such efforts as a direct attack on merit and institutional stability. Faculty representatives declared there is no justification for further interim or stopgap arrangements, which they argue have already caused “irreparable harm” to governance.
In a parallel move, the Senate has approved permanent appointments of Deans for all faculties—an important step welcomed by the faculty. Yet, except for the Deans, nearly all other statutory positions at COMSATS are being run on acting charge, and their permanent appointments remain contingent upon the appointment of a Rector.
Dr. Muhammad Jadoon Khan, President of ASA-CUI Islamabad Chapter, reiterated that the faculty expects the Chancellor’s office to respect the Senate’s recommendations and make a timely, merit-based decision. “Only a permanent Rector can restore stability, ensure accountability, and allow the university to focus on its core mission of excellence in higher education and research,” he emphasized.
The faculty concluded by stressing that the delay has already eroded institutional confidence, but a swift and merit-based appointment will mark the beginning of genuine reform and stability at COMSATS University.
