ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that the issues related to appointment of new Vice Chancellor of Baltistan University would be resolved soon, saying delay in the appointment of new VC impacting performance of the university.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, who called on him here on Tuesday.
According to official sources, during the meeting matter regarding permanent appointment of Baltistan-University VC was discussed in detail. The president said the university was playing a key role in the provision of higher education to the people of GB, underscoring the need for resolution of the issue on priority.
It is to be noted that the existing VC Dr Naeem Khan has got a controversial indefinite extension through senate of the university last year and he had also tried to get reappointed by influencing the recruitment process a few months ago. Currently, there is a strong resentment in the university and Skardu against the VC. Keeping in view the prolonged protest and subsequent law order situation, the Skardu administration has banned entry of the controversial BoU VC in the city. Earlier his entry in the city was also banned by the administration on the occasion of President Arif Alvi arrival in Skardu to attend convocation of the university.
The decision of banning his entry in the city was taken in view of the strong protest by students and civil society in Gilgit-Baltistan against the VC.
Dr Naeem Khan, who has been accused of immoral chat (sexual conversation) with students apart from financial corruption, is likely to get another term through his own handpicked senate of the university, which is now being opposed strongly not only by the students but political, religious parties and civil society.
Keeping the various protest rallies and sit-ins held in the city against the vice chancellor, Skardu Deputy Commissioner Karim Dad Chughtai had banned the entry of VC Prof Dr Naeem Khan to Skardu for two months. However the ban has been extended for another three months to avoid any untoward situation in the city.
Last year, a number of female UOB students accused Dr Naeem of sexual harassment, irking the local residents who staged protests for his ouster from the city.
However, after a gap of nearly a year, Dr. Naeem recently regained the post using his connections, causing resentment among the locals once again.
As per the audit reports of the university the controversial VC has also committed financial irregularities/corruption during his three years long tenure. Surprisingly, the VC in May 2021 had managed to get an indefinite extension after retirement through the varsity Senate in violation of the rules.
As per details, Naeem Khan, who completed his term on May 31, 2021, holds the position even after over one year of retirement as he has been given an extension till the appointment of a new VC, which is still awaited.
Interestingly, he kept the post while influencing the appointment process of new VC. Despite Dr Naeem, being on number 3rd on merit set by search committee of the university, he managed to jump to number 1st in the recommended list through the senate of the university, where the majority of members were of his choice. The President Arif Alvi, after getting informed about the illegality in the selection process, has withheld the appointment of VC UoB to date.
For the prolonged protest against the controversial VC for the past one year, Dr Naeem has been sitting in Islamabad while running affairs of the university through registrar and social media tools (emails).
