Punjab Education Minister Exposes Bribe Offer for VC Appointment

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In a startling revelation, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat disclosed that he was offered a bribe of Rs 20 million by a serving professor from Punjab University (PU) in an attempt to secure a vice chancellor position at the Government College University (GCU) Lahore. The minister shared these details during a conversation with journalists on Saturday, as reported by ARY News.

According to Minister Hayat, the professor attempted to reach him indirectly by contacting his driver. The professor allegedly handed over his CV along with a bag containing Rs 20 million in cash to the driver, hoping to influence the minister’s decision. However, the minister’s driver promptly reported the incident to him, enabling Hayat to address the situation.

Minister Hayat responded by instructing his driver to deliver a stern warning to the professor, emphasizing the government’s commitment to maintaining meritocracy in the appointment process.

“The appointments of vice chancellors in Punjab universities will be made strictly on merit, regardless of the bribe offers I have received from various candidates,” Minister Hayat affirmed. He assured the public that the process would be conducted with the utmost integrity and transparency, reinforcing the government’s stance against corruption.

The education minister also announced that notifications for the appointment of vice chancellors in 14 universities across the province are expected within the next two weeks.

This incident has sparked significant concern over the integrity of higher education appointments in Punjab, with many calling for stringent measures to ensure that merit-based selections remain the standard. The minister’s disclosure highlights the ongoing challenges in combating corruption within the education sector, a crucial pillar for the province’s development and progress.