The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government told the provincial assembly it will not grant ad hoc status to about 2,000 lecturers hired on flexible terms.
The Higher Education Department recruited these lecturers as a temporary measure to address faculty shortages in government colleges, where they are currently teaching BS and AD programs in nearly 330 institutions.
PPP parliamentary leader Ahmed Kundi raised the issue, saying the lecturers face uncertainty over their tenure and salaries. He urged the government to provide them at least one year of job security, warning that removing them could disrupt academic activities.
Responding in the assembly, Law Minister Aftab Alam said the hiring was meant to ensure continuity in teaching and was never intended to replace the formal recruitment process. He said government policy does not allow such appointments to be converted into ad hoc or permanent positions.
The minister added that ad hoc hiring often leads to legal challenges and increases pressure for regularization. He also cited budget constraints and said permanent recruitment must be carried out through the Public Service Commission.
The assembly deferred the matter after a detailed discussion due to the absence of the Higher Education Minister.