- Tussle between minister and VC as the former accused latter of financial irregularities
LAHORE: The 1,724th meeting of the Punjab University (PU) syndicate, that was scheduled to take place on Friday (today), has been postponed as the acting Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Zaffar Mueen Nasar faced a severe criticism from the faculty members and termed the convening of syndicate meeting as ‘illegal and unconstitutional’, Pakistan Today has learnt.
According to the details, the VC convened an emergency meeting of deans and principals on Thursday to take them in the confidence regarding the syndicate meeting, as several controversial issues were in the agenda item of the syndicate meeting. He faced severe criticism from the deans and principals and, therefore, he had to postpone the meeting.
It has been learnt reliably that deans and principals urged the VC to postpone the meeting since there is no representation of teachers in the body of the syndicate. Four members of the teaching community have also been expelled while the VC is also facing allegations of financial irregularities these days.
Talking to Pakistan Today, former General Secretary of Academic Staff Association (ASA) of PU, and office bearer of Teacher’s Front in the varsity Dr Mahboob Hussain, said that the incumbent VC has miserably failed to deliver since taking the reins of the university and the future of thousands of students is at stake because of the uncertainty prevailing in the university.
“It is our request to the chief minister and governor/chancellor to take urgent notice of the issues of the university and appoint a permanent VC in the better interest of both the students and teachers, as it is the largest public university of the country,” he said.
College of Earth and Environmental Sciences Principal Professor Dr Sajid Rashid said that the VC has lost his moral authority in the prevailing circumstances to convene the meeting of the syndicate – the highest statutory body of the varsity. He also raised objections over the handing over of two Kanal land of the university as this issue was also on the agenda of syndicate meeting.
It is worth mentioning here that a tussle between VC of Punjab University Dr Zaffar Mueen and Punjab Minister for Higher Education Department (HED) Syed Raza Ali Gillani is at its peak these days as the minister has accused the VC of financial irregularities. A 26-point fact sheet against the VC prepared by HED has also been sent to governor/chancellor and Chief Minister Inspection Team (CMIT).
On the other hand, the VC has denied the allegations levelled by the minister saying that he will move the court against the minister as he tarnished his reputation.
Meanwhile, PU spokesperson told Pakistan Today that he is unaware of such allegations of the minister against the VC, but he confirmed that the syndicate meeting has been postponed on the request of teachers. “Four seats of the syndicate are vacant since June this year that includes professor, associate professor, assistant professor and lecturer. Therefore, the deans and principals requested the VC to postpone the meeting,” the spokesperson said.
