By ABDULLAH 
In a startling administrative oversight, The Rehmat-ul-lil-Alameen Authority faces controversy after the Pakistani government mistakenly appointed a deceased scholar to a three-year honorary post, raising questions over vetting and administrative processes.
The notification, issued by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training with the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, announced the appointment of six members to the National Rahmatul-lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (NRKNA). Among the appointees was Dr. Prof. Farkhanda Zia, a former member of the Council of Islamic Ideology, who tragically passed away on June 22, 2025.
According to the official announcement, Dr. Zia was appointed to undertake research in Seerat and religious studies. The role was to be effective immediately for a period of three years, with all positions being honorary.
Officials revealed that the summary for the appointments was sent to the Prime Minister’s Office while Dr. Zia was still alive. However, the Chairman of NRKNA reportedly failed to inform the ministry about her passing before the notification was issued on August 6, 2025.
This lapse meant the Ministry of Education and the Prime Minister’s Office remained unaware of her death, leading to her inclusion in the official list. Authorities have now confirmed that a new panel will be submitted to replace Dr. Zia in the NRKNA lineup.
The incident has triggered widespread criticism, with observers highlighting the lack of coordination, record-keeping, and due diligence within government departments. Critics argue that such oversights undermine public confidence in state institutions and raise serious questions about the vetting process for official appointments.
Administrative experts note that this blunder is a textbook example of how bureaucratic gaps can cause reputational damage — both domestically and internationally — especially when it involves high-profile appointments linked to religious and academic work.
The Ministry of Education has pledged to review internal communication protocols to prevent similar mistakes in the future. Meanwhile, the NRKNA is expected to proceed with its research initiatives, with the vacancy left by Dr. Zia’s passing to be filled in the coming weeks.