Nepotism allegations surface over 3-year extension for Qaim Ali Shah’s daughter

Dr Nighat Shah, daughter of former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah and a professor at Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), has been directed to be appointed as a professor for three years, based on a provincial cabinet decision issued just one day before her retirement.

Secretary of the Sindh Universities and Boards Department Abbas Baloch has also issued a formal notification.

Dr Nighat Shah’s appointment is also feared to affect the seniority of Associate Professors Dr Shazia Naseeb, Dr Nasreen Fatima, Dr Saba Khan, Dr Iram Majid and Dr Maimoona Rehman.

Interestingly, however, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) notification cited as the basis for the appointment explicitly says that permission to hire retired faculty on a contractual basis is merely “enabling in nature.”

It does not constitute a mandatory or binding directive for any institution, and the relevant institution is authorized to make its own decision based on its needs, rules, regulations and available resources.

The notification refers to agenda item No. 16 of the provincial cabinet meeting held on August 5. It states that, in the “larger public interest” and to ensure continuity of specialized medical services, academic leadership, postgraduate medical education, research, innovation and institutional standards, the vice chancellor was directed to consider appointing Dr Nighat Shah as a professor at JSMU for three years.

However, in the following part of the letter, the wording “consider” effectively turns into a formal directive, instructing the vice chancellor to take immediate necessary action for Dr Nighat Shah’s appointment as professor for three years.

The notification further directs that the cabinet decision be implemented “without delay and in letter and spirit,” while a report on the action taken is to be submitted to the Universities and Boards Department on a priority basis.

Meanwhile, the May 19, 2026, PM&DC notification cited as the basis for the appointment raises important questions regarding the government’s directive.

The PM&DC had allowed public medical and dental institutions to engage retired faculty members on a purely contractual basis until the age of 65. However, it clearly said that the decision would not be mandatory for any institution.

The notification has therefore raised questions about why the appointment of a specific retired faculty member was taken to the provincial cabinet when the PM&DC had left the decision to individual universities. Questions have also been raised over why the cabinet called for immediate action and a compliance report regarding a specific individual.