JSMU professor Dr Nighat Shah granted three-year appointment

Dr Nighat Shah, daughter of former Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, has been granted a three-year contractual appointment at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) following a directive from the Sindh provincial cabinet. The appointment, issued just one day before her scheduled retirement, was approved to ensure continuity in specialized medical services, academic leadership, and research.

The decision has drawn criticism from several senior associate professors at JSMU, who have written to the Sindh chief minister and federal ombudsman. These faculty members expressed concerns that the reappointment could negatively impact the seniority and promotion prospects of six associate professors currently awaiting advancement.

While the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) allows public medical institutions to engage retired faculty on a contractual basis up to age 65, the council's guidelines state this provision is ‘enabling in nature’ and should not affect the career progression of junior faculty. A spokesperson for the Sindh chief minister has maintained that Dr Shah’s contractual role will not affect the seniority or promotion prospects of existing officers at the institution.