Senate Approves Major PIFD Reforms: Vice Chancellor Term Limited to Four Years, Gender Quota Introduced
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has approved major reforms to the Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) Act, aiming to bring transparency, accountability, and uniform governance standards to one of Pakistan’s key higher education institutions.
Led by Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, the committee reviewed a compliance report on PIFD’s internal governance. The report prompted serious concerns, especially about the sitting Vice Chancellor’s extended tenure—over 25 years in office. The committee found this duration excessive and potentially harmful to institutional independence. “When a person remains in power this long, the system stops functioning properly and becomes centered on the individual,” the Chairperson remarked.
In response, the committee approved amendments that limit the Vice Chancellor’s tenure to a fixed four-year term. Extensions will no longer be allowed, but former VCs may reapply through a competitive and transparent selection process managed by a Search Committee. This is expected to prevent favoritism and ensure leadership is based on merit.
Another key issue raised was the frequent delay of Senate meetings at PIFD due to the unavailability of the Chancellor, who is the President of Pakistan. To fix this, the committee approved a change allowing the Pro-Chancellor—currently the Federal Minister for Education—to chair meetings when the Chancellor is unavailable. This aims to prevent decision-making bottlenecks and maintain the institute’s operational flow.
The committee also adopted a provision to ensure 33% representation of women in the Senate of PIFD, aligning with the Prime Minister’s directive to promote inclusive leadership across all federal institutions.
Additionally, the new reforms bring PIFD’s governance structure in line with the Federal University Ordinance of 2002, ensuring consistency across Pakistan’s federally chartered universities. The Chairperson also demanded a complete list of all federal educational institutions where vice chancellors have served beyond two terms, signaling further scrutiny.
While addressing procedural matters, it was clarified that PIFD’s representative was delayed but in contact with the Ministry.
