NEWS DESK
Quetta — The Balochistan High Court has issued a significant judgment approving the constitutional petition filed by Dr. Raheela Manzoor regarding her appointment as Registrar of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University (SBKWU) Quetta. The division bench, comprising Justice Iqbal Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Najm-ud-Din Mengal, directed the concerned authorities to issue the official appointment notification and pay all dues and privileges effective from April 22, 2025.
Case Background
The petitioner contended that after fulfilling all legal requirements, the 19th Selection Board meeting was held on April 17, 2025, where shortlisted candidates were interviewed, and the Board unanimously recommended Dr. Raheela Manzoor for the post of Registrar. Subsequently, on April 22, 2025, the University Syndicate approved the Selection Board’s recommendation.
However, despite the completion of all legal formalities, the office of the Chancellor/Governor of Balochistan halted the issuance of the appointment notification through a letter dated April 24, 2025, citing alleged procedural irregularities. This compelled the petitioner to seek judicial intervention.
The respondents argued that the process was questionable due to dissenting notes from some members of the Selection Board and Syndicate, and that the Chancellor had referred the matter to the Senate under Section 24(2) of the Balochistan Universities Act, 2022. The Senate, in its meeting held on August 21, 2025, decided not to approve the appointment and directed that the post be re-advertised.
Court’s Observations and Ruling
After examining the records and arguments, the Court observed that the recruitment process began through a public advertisement, was supervised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and the interviews were conducted by the duly constituted Selection Board. Under Section 24(2) of the Balochistan Universities Act, 2022, the Syndicate is the competent authority to approve such administrative appointments and its approval carries final legal effect.
(Reference: Balochistan Universities Act 2022 – balochistancode.gob.pk)
The bench further stated that the Chancellor/Governor’s office had no judicial or appellate authority to suspend or annul a Syndicate decision unless bad faith or illegality was proven. The dissenting opinions of a few members could not override the majority decision of the Syndicate.
The Court termed the act of withholding the notification as arbitrary, unlawful, and contrary to Articles 4 and 27 of the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), which ensure protection of law, fair treatment, and equality before the law.
Key Directions
- The respondents must issue the official appointment notification of Dr. Raheela Manzoor as Registrar of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University, Quetta, within 15 days of receiving the judgment.
- All salary dues and privileges must be paid retrospectively from April 22, 2025.
- Copies of the order shall be sent to all relevant parties for compliance.
This decision is seen as a landmark judgment emphasizing institutional autonomy, legal accountability, and transparency in university governance across Balochistan.
