Power Struggle Grips Punjab University's Gender Studies Department Amid Allegations of Nepotism

Wiki Article

LAHORE:

Power Struggle Grips Punjab University's Gender Studies Department Amid Allegations of Nepotism

Academics raise concerns as Vice Chancellor's wife reportedly eyes chairperson position despite being from a different discipline

LAHORE:

Power Struggle Grips Punjab University's Gender Studies Department Amid Allegations of Nepotism

Academics raise concerns as Vice Chancellor's wife reportedly eyes chairperson position despite being from a different discipline

LAHORE, April 11, 2025 — A bitter power struggle has erupted within the Department of Gender Studies at the University of the Punjab, with faculty members and academic observers raising serious concerns over what they describe as an attempt to install a politically favoured candidate as department head — one whose academic background lies entirely outside the field.

The controversy centres on Dr. Rubeena Zakir, a scholar from the Sociology discipline, who is reportedly being positioned to take charge of the Gender Studies department. Critics allege the bid is backed not by academic merit, but by the influence of her husband, Dr. Zakria Zakir, who currently serves as Vice Chancellor of the University of Okara — a position he has held since August 2018.

The Succession Question

The department had been led for years by Dr. Ra'ana, whose tenure shaped much of the department's academic direction and research culture. Upon her retirement, the mantle passed to Dr. Fauzia Saleem Alvi, who assumed the position of Chairperson through what colleagues describe as the natural course of succession within the department.

However, sources close to the department told this correspondent that Dr. Alvi's position is now under pressure, with administrative circles reportedly favouring Dr. Rubeena Zakir as her replacement — a development that has unsettled many within the faculty.

"This is Not About Merit"

Multiple faculty members, speaking on condition of anonymity citing fear of professional repercussions, expressed deep frustration at the situation.

"The Department of Gender Studies has a proud tradition of scholarship built by women who dedicated their careers to this specific field," one senior faculty member said. "To have someone parachuted in from Sociology — purely on the basis of who she is married to — would be a serious blow to academic integrity."

Another academic familiar with the department's internal workings described the situation as a textbook example of institutional nepotism. "When the Vice Chancellor's wife is being considered for a position she has no disciplinary background in, it raises questions that go far beyond one department."

The Core Allegation — Discipline Mismatch

At the heart of the controversy is a fundamental academic concern: Gender Studies, while intersecting with sociology, is a distinct and specialised field requiring dedicated expertise in feminist theory, gender policy, intersectionality, and women's rights frameworks.

Dr. Rubeena Zakir's academic profile, according to sources, is rooted in Sociology — a related but separate discipline. Critics argue that appointing her would set a troubling precedent, effectively treating a specialised department as an administrative posting to be filled through personal connections rather than subject expertise.

University statutes at Punjab University, as at most HEC-recognised institutions, require department heads to hold relevant qualifications and research experience within the discipline they are to lead — a requirement, sources say, that makes the reported candidacy legally questionable.

The Broader Pattern

This is not the first time questions of favouritism have shadowed appointments in Pakistan's public universities. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has repeatedly flagged irregularities in faculty appointments across the country, urging institutions to adopt transparent, merit-based processes governed by clearly defined criteria.

Academic reform advocates argue that cases like the one unfolding at Punjab University's Gender Studies department illustrate precisely why independent appointment committees — free from vice-chancellorial influence — are essential.

"When the same administrative hierarchy that oversees appointments also has a personal stake in the outcome, the conflict of interest is self-evident," said one academic policy observer based in Lahore.

No Official Response

This correspondent reached out to the University of the Punjab administration for comment on the reported situation. No official response was received at the time of publication.

Dr. Rubeena Zakir and Dr. Zakria Zakir could not be independently contacted for their version of events.

Dr. Fauzia Saleem Alvi, the current Chairperson, also did not respond to a request for comment.

What Happens Next

Faculty members say they are considering raising the matter formally with the Punjab University Syndicate as well as the Higher Education Commission if the appointment proceeds without due process.

"We will not stay silent," said one faculty member. "This department was built on the principles of justice and equity — the very foundations of Gender Studies as a discipline. We owe it to our students and our field to fight for those principles within our own institution."

— Correspondent, Education Desk, Lahore

Editor's Note: The names mentioned in this report are based on information provided to this publication. Wiki has not independently verified all claims. The individuals named have been given the opportunity to respond.