The new office bearers of Academic Staff Association (ASA) of International Islamic University took oath to their office for year 2012-13.
Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations President Professor Kaleemullah Bareech administered the oath. Those who took oath included Dr Muhammad Sher Joiyya, president, Attaullah Watto, vice president, Dr Zafar Iqbal, general secretary, Zehra Sabin, vice president (female), Amir Usman, joint secretary, Shagufta Khanum, joint secretary (female), Faizur Rehman, finance secretary and Muhammad Amir, information secretary.
Speaking on the occasion, the new president, Dr Muhammad Sher, expressed his concern over the irregularities and maladministration in the university. He said that after retirement of the rector of the university since 2010, adhocism prevailed in the university that triggered a number of irregularities, including adhoc appointments. The decision-making bodies such as the board of directors lacked representation from the teaching faculty and literally outsiders made the decisions that impacted the faculty, he added.
The new general secretary, Dr Zafar Iqbal, said that in violation of the direction of the Supreme Court, contractual appointments were also made in the university. The Islamabad High Court has taken notices of all these contractual and illegal appointments and notices have been served on the administration. The court has declared one of such appointments as illegal.
The newly elected body of the Association has called for action against all such illegal appointments and setting up of a high-level committee to scrutinise such illegal appointments. The association members also demanded promotion of those who are waiting for more than 25 years.
They requested the faculty members to rise above all petty political interests and play their vibrant role to make the university a unique place in the country. Earlier, the outgoing president, Dr Muhammad Bashir, presented the progress report of the Association. The chief guest, Prof Kaleemullah, supported the demands presented by the newly elected body of the association.
Two killed, 16 hurt in Mansehra traffic mishap: Apassenger bus on way from Lahore to Batgram fell into a ravine as a result of which two persons were killed and 16 wounded in Mansehra.
The bus was on its way from Lahore to Batgram. Near Gandhian on Shahrah-e-Karakoram, it lost its control while taking a turn and fell into the ravine, which resulted in the death of two persons. At least 16 people were also injured, a private news channel reported.
