The search for a new PCSIR chairman has ended without a single suitable candidate, despite nearly 100 applications from prominent scientists, and the science ministry now plans to re-employ the previous chairman for another year.
The proposal, seeking re-employment of Dr Syed Hussain Imam Abidi for one year, has been submitted to Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Syed Tauqir Shah. The ministry is seeking the federal cabinet’s approval through circulation under Rule 17(1)(b) of the Rules of Business, 1973.
PCSIR chairman: the proposal to bring back the last chairman
Under Section 4(1)(a) read with Section 5(1) of the PCSIR Act, 1973, the ministry has proposed that Dr Abidi be re-nominated for a further period of one year, from October 19, 2026, to October 18, 2027, or until a regular chairman is appointed, whichever is earlier.
Dr Abidi had initially been appointed as PCSIR chairman on October 19, 2020, for a standard three-year term. He was subsequently re-nominated for a second term, which expired on October 18, 2026.
Owing to the expiry of his second tenure, the post was advertised to attract a wider pool of qualified candidates. The summary claims that after the closing date, all received applications were scrutinised, but no suitable candidate could be identified.
Consequently, it was decided to re-advertise the post to attract more experienced candidates. Because the process of re-advertisement, scrutiny, interviews and completion of other formalities is likely to take considerable time, the ministry has proposed a one-year extension to avoid leaving the position vacant, which could affect the continuity of the council’s administrative and research activities, according to the summary.
Who applied
The advertisement to fill the post of chairman (MP-I Scale) was published in national dailies on October 12, with a closing date for applications set for October 27, 2026.
Sources revealed that over 100 scientists, including several former chairmen of scientific bodies operating under the ministry, applied for the coveted position. According to the applicants’ list, at least 68 candidates hold PhD qualifications, reflecting considerable interest from highly qualified professionals.
The applicants include vice chancellors, senior scientists, chief scientific officers, directors general, academics and research professionals with expertise in engineering, biotechnology, agriculture, energy and industrial research.
The missing selection committee
As per standard practice, the ministry notifies committees for the scrutiny and selection of a suitable candidate for the post. However, no committee was notified following receipt of the applications, the sources alleged.
One of the applicants, who holds a doctorate in the required subject and has held top positions in different government organisations, confirmed that he was neither called for an interview nor asked to appear in any selection process.
When approached for comments, Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Shahid Iqbal Baloch and Joint Secretary Mureed Rahimoon did not respond. Similarly, Mohammad Kamran, the public relations officer of the ministry, stated that he would furnish the ministry’s official version on the issue. However, he could not provide any response after about two days.
Why the post matters
PCSIR is the research arm of the science ministry, set up under its own Act of parliament to carry out scientific and industrial research for the country. Its chairman sets the direction of that work. A year without a regular chairman, filled instead by re-employing the outgoing head, is a year in which the council drifts.
The contrast with the rest of the technology sector is hard to miss. Pakistan’s IT services exports have surged, with services exports up 226 per cent on IT earnings, and a Pakistani startup, RLabs, has just won an award in Silicon Valley. The state has tried to build research links before: the National Centre for Excellence in Research and HEC signed a cybersecurity agreement with universities, and the IT ministry has flagged the barriers to AI in rural Pakistan. Yet the private technology economy is moving fast while the state’s own research council cannot complete a hiring process that drew 100 applicants, 68 of them PhD holders.
The ministry’s summary says no suitable candidate could be identified. It does not explain how that conclusion was reached when no selection committee was notified and at least one qualified applicant was never interviewed. That gap is the real story here, and the cabinet should ask about it before it approves the extension through circulation.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no new PCSIR chairman?
The Ministry of Science and Technology says that despite nearly 100 applications, no suitable candidate could be identified. It has proposed re-employing the previous chairman, Dr Syed Hussain Imam Abidi, for one year.
How many people applied for the post?
Over 100 scientists applied, including several former chairmen of scientific bodies. At least 68 candidates hold PhD qualifications.
What is the proposed extension?
One year, from October 19, 2026, to October 18, 2027, or until a regular chairman is appointed, whichever is earlier. The proposal needs federal cabinet approval through circulation.
Was a selection committee formed?
According to sources, no committee was notified after the applications were received, and at least one qualified applicant confirmed he was never called for an interview.
