KARACHI: Amid the continuing administrative crisis at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the Academic Council has unanimously decided that the post of Executive Director should be assigned only to a senior officer from the devolved administrative cadre who is a permanent employee of the institution. The council stressed that bringing an outsider at this critical time could create further instability and resistance within the hospital.
The meeting of the Academic Council was held today under the chairmanship of Prof. Khalid Sher, with attendance from senior faculty and co-opted members. The session began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. Fateha was offered for the late Executive Director, Prof. Dr. Shahid Rasool, and members expressed concern over the growing administrative uncertainty since his passing.
Prof. Khalid Sher informed the members that JPMC is a postgraduate academic institution and requires strong and experienced internal leadership to ensure stability. He stated that any suitable person from the academic or administrative cadre, particularly from the devolved employees of JPMC, should be considered for the position of Executive Director. Members discussed the issue at length and warned that the appointment of someone from outside the institution might lead to resistance among staff and disrupt continuity.
It was also highlighted that JPMC’s administrative structure differs from other hospitals in Sindh and that past experiences have shown that external appointees create gaps in governance. Some professors noted that several major institutions, including NICVD and NICH, have academic professionals leading them, and the same approach should be followed at JPMC to maintain its academic integrity.
The meeting resolved that the strongest and most suitable candidate must be from the devolved cadre of JPMC and should have a permanent association with the institution. Academic matters will continue to be managed by the Dean and the Chairperson of the Academic Council until a final appointment is made. With increasing pressure from staff and stakeholders to restore administrative order, the council’s recommendation has added urgency to the government’s decision on filling the vacant Executive Director post.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, amid hopes that the current administrative crisis at Jinnah Hospital will be resolved through an internal and informed appointment that supports both patient care and institutional stability.
