Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved six new members for the National Rahmatul-lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority (NRKNA). One of them, however, had died more than a month before the announcement.
The Ministry of Education issued the notification after receiving the PM’s green light. The list included Dr. Farukhanda Zia, who passed away on June 22, 2025. The appointment summary went to the PM’s Office when she was alive. But the NRKNA Chairman failed to alert the ministry after her death.
How the Mistake Happened
The NRKNA proposed six names for appointment. The Ministry of Education sent the summary to the Prime Minister’s Office. Weeks later, Dr. Zia passed away. The chairman did not notify the ministry, so her name stayed on the final list.
A senior ministry official said the error was preventable.
“If we had received timely information, the summary could have been corrected before approval,” the official noted.
Public Reaction
The news triggered public outrage on social media. Critics accused the government of poor coordination and lack of seriousness. Memes and sarcastic posts flooded X (formerly Twitter), with some calling it an “administrative joke.”
Opposition leaders used the incident to highlight “inefficiency in governance.” Some demanded a review of the entire NRKNA nomination process.
Government’s Next Step
The Ministry of Education will now send a revised panel to replace Dr. Zia. Officials say they will add extra verification steps to prevent similar mistakes.
About the NRKNA
The National Rahmatul-lil-Aalameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority works to promote the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It develops education programs, supports Islamic research, and organizes national campaigns.
Appointments to this authority are considered prestigious. Mistakes in the process harm public trust and weaken its credibility.
Lessons from the Incident
This case reveals the need for:
- Immediate communication between departments when a nominee’s status changes.
- Final verification checks before sending appointment summaries.
- Digital record tracking to prevent human oversight.
Political Context
The Prime Minister’s Office has yet to issue an official comment. Political analysts believe the incident will not cause long-term damage, but it does give critics fresh material.
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With governance reforms on the parliamentary agenda, the opposition is likely to push for tighter oversight on official appointments.
The PM-approved appointment of a deceased woman to the NRKNA has embarrassed the government and raised questions about coordination between ministries. The replacement process is underway, but the incident underlines the need for faster communication and thorough verification in high-level appointments.
