KARACHI: The employees of the Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), who have been removed from their jobs by the varsity’s vice chancellor (VC), have demanded the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) take notice of illegal appointments and transfers done by the VC and his blue-eyed officials at the varsity, it was learnt on Saturday.
Some employees, on request of anonymity, told Pakistan Today that VC Dr Mohammad Ali Shaikh is hardly B.E (Metallurgical) from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro Sindh who joined as Principal in BPS-18 at Sindh Madressatul Islam School who as appointed as principal on political grounds, which was totally on the contrary to prescribed requirement of the position of Principal.
They said that SMIU is a public sector institution, chartered by the Sindh the government and recognised by Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in 2012 through an Act Passed by Sindh Assembly, but varsity’s VC is not following the legacy of Alma matter such as Quaid e Azam.
It is alleged that Shaikh was promoted from BPS-18 to BPS-19 within a period of two months in 1994 and from BPS-19 to BPS-20 within a period of one year in 1995. In this regard, complaint against violation of Service Rules was submitted at Prime Minister Office (Social Sector Wing) in 1999 but again the case was failed to catch the attention of the authorities .
Since, at the time of the promotions, the Sindh Madressah School was under the control of the Federal Ministry of Education through a board of governors, he tried to get his position as Principal confirmed at the School through Ministry. This was also highlighted in Audit Report regarding his promotions and appointments in Federal Government institution that are without prior approval of the Education Ministry.
Subsequently, NAB conducted an inquiry and found him involved in financial and administrative irregularities and violation of service rules and appointments of his close relatives. But again, he returned the amount to NAB as a result of plea bargaining.
During this period, he resigned from the school and joined Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi. Due to his malpractices and irregularities in services and financial matters, he was terminated from SZABIST and then again he joined Sindh Madressah School as Principal in BPS-20 after the lapse of almost five years’ time, and his services were continued from 1994. This all is mentioned in NAB Draft report.
After 18th Amendment, Sindh Madressah School was handed over to Sindh government. Sindh government elevated Sindh Madressatul Islam School / College at the level of University in 2012 through an Act passed by Sindh Assembly. It is mentioned in the SMIU Act, that Principal Dr Mohammad Ali Shaikh will be first VC. This all was done on political grounds and his affiliation with political parties such as Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muthaidda Qaumi Movement (MQM). Because his father-in-law AK Brohi was associated with MQM and he got the benefit of it.
Again, his second tenure as VC was extended for further four years which is alleged to be illegal and unlawful as the process did not include the formation of Search Committee as a part of SOPs.
The employees have forwarded detailed complaints against the SMI’s VC to the CJP requesting him to look into the matters as the promotions and appointments are unlawful and illegal.
When contacted, SMIU VC Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh told Pakistan Today that he would not answer any questions asked.
