- Members do not allow various agenda items during a heated session of the syndicate
LAHORE: The Punjab University Syndicate members Saturday locked horns in a nearly seven-hour long session to decide on policy matters regarding the establishment of a new Daska Campus, adoption of amended LPR laws, proposals to establish an IT Tower, media city, appointment of HoDs in 15 departments/ schools.
The syndicate members decided not to allow the establishment of the Daska Campus without proper feasibility study and financial impact assessment report because the varsity is already facing an economic crunch with around Rs2.7 billion deficit in the backdrop of hue and cry during the establishment of the Pothohar campus in Gojar Khan on the desire of then-Speaker NA Raja Pervez Ashraf.
The Syndicate also deferred implementation of the amended LPR (Leave Before Retirement) under the pressure of the Academic Staff Association (ASA) and members Syndicate who strongly advocated against the amended laws.
The members came hard on the acting vice chancellor Dr Khalid Mehmood, who they said was abusing the powers of the vice chancellor officer in his current position as pro vice chancellor.
The syndicate did not allow PVC to appoint Mian Ahmad Hanan, as chairperson Department of Journalism Studies after the retirement of Dr Bushra Hameedur Rahman. The members – Dr Sardar Asghar Iqbal and Dr Islam asked the committee to read in detail the heart-burning letter of Dr Bushra written on her retirement day, regarding two illegal transfers to her department just for the lust to become HoD despite of their irrelevant experience.
Dr Bushra wrote to the Syndicated that: two parachute transfers, Dr Mian Hanan Ahmad vide letter No. D/213/Est-1 and Dr Muhammad Rashid Khan vide letter No. D/214 both dated 26-01-2024, have been made to my Department of Journalism Studies days before my retirement in sheer violation of established practice only to appoint HoD on political basis instead of merit. I did not allow their joining and have serious reservations.” She said in her letter that Dr Shabbir Sarwar, associate professor, was the senior most in the department after her retirement and on merit he deserves to be appointed as HoD.
HEC representative Dr Nazir Hussain and HED Representative also supported the appointment of Dr Shabbir, however, the PVC was predicted to sue some unknown pressure.
Member syndicate Sardar Iqbal refused to take charge as head of Kashmiriyat Department in protest against what he called unjust policy of pick and choose and violation of merit in the appointment of HoDs. Also, PVC was in favour to appointment but he refused.
Meanwhile, Dr Farah Kanwal was appointed as Head of School of Chemistry, Dr Kashif Rathore as Director Institute of Administrative Science. HEC representative reprimanded Dr Khalid for inappropriate and uncalled-for comments about HEC.
Furthermore, Prof Dr Munawar Sabir, who made artificial rain in Lahore, Punjab, was removed from his post. Prof Dr Munawar Sabir was the Head of Department of Geography, Punjab University, Lahore. New head of the Department of Geography, is a ten-year junior professor. Dr Munawar Sabir was also a member of the Artificial Rainfall Team and Punjab Government Commission.
