The Punjab government has opened contract hiring for professors and associate professors across 12 medical specialties, inviting applications until 5 November. Retired doctors and private-sector medical professionals are eligible, according to sources familiar with the plan, and candidates may apply up to the age of 65 for dozens of vacant teaching posts.
The move targets departments that officials and medical sources describe as facing severe faculty shortages. Appointments are temporary: each contract runs for a maximum of three years and ends earlier if the doctor turns 65, or if a regular candidate is appointed through promotion or the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC)—the provincial body that fills permanent government posts—whichever comes first.
Specialties facing faculty shortages
The advertised posts cover Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Anaesthesia, Pulmonology, Oncology, Radiology, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, and Paediatric Cardiology. Together they account for the twelve specialties named in the hiring drive.
Senior doctors said many of these teaching roles have stayed empty for several months. Without senior faculty in place, they said, junior doctors have been working without proper supervision—an arrangement they argue harms training quality in government medical institutions.
Support from seniors, pushback from permanent staff
Supporters among senior doctors framed the contract route as a practical way to fill gaps quickly while regular appointments catch up. They argued that bringing experienced clinicians back into teaching would ease pressure on younger doctors who have been covering work without enough senior guidance.
The proposal has also drawn objections. Permanent doctors fear the policy could limit their chances of reaching senior academic ranks. Other sources warned that relying on contracts could weaken the permanent structure of medical education and affect promotion prospects for doctors already serving in government institutions. They also said the approach could increase administrative control over medical education and make senior academic appointments more dependent on the preferences of officials.
What remains unanswered
The government has not yet publicly explained why it chose this contract model, nor has it responded to the concerns raised by medical professionals. Until those answers come, the practical next step for eligible applicants is the 5 November deadline, while serving doctors wait to see how the temporary posts interact with ongoing promotions and PPSC recruitments.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Punjab sarkar retired aur private doctors ko medical college mein professor banane ke liye contract pe bula rahi hai. Darkhwast 5 November tak jama ho sakti hain, aur umar had 65 saal hai. Yeh qadam un departments ke liye hai jahan ustad bohot kam hain. Kuch doctors kehti hain is se juniors ko supervision mile gi; kuch permanent doctors ko promotion ka khauf hai.
