LAHORE: A 26-point charge-sheet has been sent to the governor outlining alleged financial and administrative irregularities of Punjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, according to a report by a private media outlet.
The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) prepared the charge-sheet and decided to investigate the financial and administrative irregularities allegedly committed by Dr Nasir.
The document had been sent to Punjab Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the Punjab University, for his approval to refer the case to Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) for an investigation.
According to officials at the varsity, who requested anonymity, the HED mentioned various “illegal” steps taken by the PU VC and also recommended that Dr Nasir was ineligible for the post of the VC. He was shortlisted and subsequently appointed as provisional VC by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
In the summary, according to officials, the department had attached documentary evidence. Sources said that the major allegations against the PU VC included an award of civil works contract worth Rs20 million without following formalities. In this case, PU’s former acting Chief Engineer Faizul Hasan Sipra had submitted a written statement before an inquiry committee that he was verbally ordered by the PU VC to perform the civil works.
The letter also mentioned the appointment of Dr Muhammad Awais as dean faculty of health sciences without the approval of the chancellor and further stated that programmes of Allied Health Science had started without the approval from relevant forums.
The HED also raised an objection to the appointment of acting treasurer and acting registrar by Dr Nasir, allegedly without the approval of the Chancellor. The sources said that the department also recommended investigations into several appointments by Dr Nasir in grades 19, 20 and 21 and alleged illegal appointment of Institute of Geology director.
Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Dubai campus of the varsity, without the approval of the competent authority, should also be investigated. The HED questioned the reinstatement of a dismissed employee of PU and his appointment in Punjab University Employees Housing Society.