The Senate of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) will meet on July 31 to reconsider the appointment of an acting vice chancellor following directives issued by President Asif Ali Zardari in his capacity as the institute’s chancellor.
According to sources, the president sent a reference to the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training on April 24, invoking Section 8(6) of the PIFD Act and directing the Senate to reconsider Agenda Item No. 13 from its 17th meeting.
The president instructed that the responsibilities of acting vice chancellor should be assigned to a senior faculty member.
The move follows the institute’s 17th Senate meeting held on January 5, 2026, during which former vice chancellor Professor Hina Tayyaba Khalil was approved to continue in office despite having completed two terms.
The Senate Standing Committee on Education has since recommended declaring that meeting null and void.
“Presidency had made it clear that the approval of the agenda had not been obtained,” Standing Committee Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt said during a committee meeting.
According to officials, Senator Butt had earlier submitted a reference to the Presidency outlining allegations made by faculty members, officers and other stakeholders against Professor Khalil.
The reference accused the former vice chancellor of administrative mismanagement, misuse of authority and poor governance at the institute. It also raised allegations of irregularities in procurement and financial matters, including alleged corruption in Rs450 million worth of tenders for the construction of a girls’ hostel.