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Punjab University hostel affairs under scanner after delay in wardens’ extension

LAHORE: The administrative affairs of Punjab University (PU) hostels have come under scrutiny as the PU Teachers Alliance has alleged that the university administration has delayed formal extension of the tenure of several hostel wardens and superintendents while allowing some others to continue signing financial documents. The alliance has questioned the exercise of financial and administrative powers given to wardens and superintendents whose tenure, according to it, expired months ago and whose extension notifications have yet to be formally issued. According to the teachers’ group, hostel wardens and superintendents are serving university teachers appointed to additional administrative responsibilities under the university statutes. It says the prolonged uncertainty over their tenure is causing anxiety among both teachers performing hostel duties as well as students. The alliance has also questioned the PU administration’s decision last year to grant only a six-month extension to the teachers performing hostel duties, saying the practice is inconsistent with the normal tenure arrangements. It alleges that allowing officials whose tenure has expired to sign bills and other financial documents has raised questions about financial discipline, authority and accountability. It demands clarity of the legal and administrative basis under which such officials are continuing to exercise financial powers. Teachers’ alliance alleges that wardens with expired tenures are performing duties; wants equal opportunities for all teachers; varsity rejects allegations The alliance further alleges that the university’s administrative and financial affairs have deteriorated under the incumbent vice chancellor and criticises the appointment of, what it described as, a “favoured and incompetent group” to key administrative positions. The university administration, however, rejects the allegations, terming the alliance’s version an incomplete portrayal of the statutory position and reforms carried out in the hostels. PU Director General Security and Students Affairs Rehan Sadiq Sheikh says that as per university statutes, hostel wardens and superintendents are appointed by the vice chancellor for two years while a further extension for three years can be granted by the competent authority. He says the statutes do not create any right or entitlement to continue in the assignment beyond the prescribed provisions and points out that that some wardens and superintendents have historically remained in these positions for considerably longer periods, in some cases for more than a decade. According to Mr Sheikh, the university administration has undertaken several reforms in the hostel system, hundreds of unauthorised occupants were removed in 2025, enabling around 600 legitimate morning-programme students to secure accommodation on merit. Subsequently, another 678 deserving students, including those from remote areas and different provinces and regions, have been provided hostel accommodation. He claims that hostel financial recoveries have also improved, with official figures showing an increase of around Rs81.5m in receipts and recoveries during January-April 2025 compared with the corresponding period of 2024. Receipts from boys’ hostels increased from around Rs26.4m to Rs78.2m, while those from girls’ hostels rose from around Rs88m to Rs118m, he added. The administration has also introduced measures aimed at strengthening merit-based allotment, recovery of dues, discipline and control over unauthorised entry. Rehan Sadiq Sheikh says the Hall Council had introduced an automated facial-recognition entry system from Fall 2026 to prevent unauthorised access and improve security for hostel residents. Meanwhile, a PU faculty member, speaking about the issue, says the controversy also highlighted the need for a clear and uniform policy governing additional administrative assignments in the university. He says the superintendent’s position is an additional responsibility that can be assigned to any eligible teacher, but in practice some individuals continue in such positions for longer periods and enjoy associated facilities and privileges. He argues that a teacher should initially be appointed as a warden or superintendent for three years, with no more than one further extension of three years, so that other faculty members can also get an opportunity to perform the duties. The faculty member, who did not want to be named for fear of repercussions, has also questioned the practice under which wardens and superintendents can occupy hostel residences for prolonged periods, sometimes until retirement. He says the university has 28 hostels, meaning that only around 56 professors can occupy such residences as wardens or superintendents if appointments continue until retirement. He calls for uniformity in the tenure of additional administrative responsibilities, noting that deans, principals, chairpersons and directors generally serve fixed terms, while even the vice chancellor has a defined tenure. “Therefore, the positions of hostel wardens and superintendents should also have a clearly defined tenure,” he says, arguing that a fixed-term policy would ensure transparency, equal opportunities and prevent the concentration of hostel-related facilities and responsibilities among a limited number of faculty members. Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2026