{
  "id": 4093660,
  "title": "Punjab governor directs Aitchison College to frame merit-based selection rules",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/punjab-governor-directs-aitchison-college-to-frame-merit-based",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T03:13:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2025854/punjab-governor-directs-aitchison-college-to-frame-merit-based-selection-rules"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LAHORE: The Punjab governor has instructed Aitchison College to establish rules for selecting college prefects and student leaders in sports and academics based on merit. In a letter to the college principal on August 13, the governor emphasized that these policies should have clear eligibility criteria, selection procedures, tenure, code of conduct, roles, and responsibilities. The governor also requested that the appointment of housemasters and promotion of academic and administrative staff be conducted fairly. Moreover, the governor requested that approved policies be posted on the college website and social media accounts. However, the Aitchison College Old Boys’ Association (ACOBA) executive committee vehemently rejected the unfounded accusations on social media alleging misconduct at the college. Parents of H2 students attending the Leadership Camp wrote a letter to Principal Dr. Syed Turab Hussain, expressing their objection to the appointments of college prefects, head boys, and deputy head boys, claiming these positions were given through nepotism and unfair means. The allegations included poor grades and students promoted despite absence from college for several years. The parents circulated a list of 10 students whose university admissions were questioned by international universities during the tenure of previous and current principals. The parents also urged the principal to remove students who did not meet the standards. Although the principal did not respond directly to the allegations, the ACOBA addressed the accusations and defended the principal, stating they supported the college's values of transparency, merit, and fairness. The association’s president, Usman Haq, general secretary Omer Qureshi, and EC members declared their allegiance to the college's commitment to maintaining integrity in its selection processes.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: The Punjab governor has directed Aitchison College to formulate merit-based policies for the selection of college prefects and other student leadership positions in sports and academics. The governor, who is also president of the Aitchison College Board of Governors, in a letter addressed to the college principal on Aug 13, desired that the policies should clearly define the eligibility…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The Punjab governor's directive to Aitchison College to frame merit-based selection rules marks a shift towards increased transparency and accountability in the college's appointment processes, potentially impacting the college's governance and reputation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Punjab governor directs Aitchison College to frame merit-based selection rules",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/punjab-governor-directs-aitchison-college-to-frame-merit-based-4095244",
        "published": "2026-08-29T03:13:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}