University of Haripur faces probe over alleged illegal appointments

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has ordered action over what it has described as illegal appointments in public sector universities, with directions for strict implementation of Section 17A of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012.

The provision bars teaching faculty from occupying administrative positions. Documents linked to the University of Haripur indicate that the law was allegedly breached in multiple cases, with several faculty members serving in important administrative offices on an additional or acting basis.

The provincial government’s move is part of a wider crackdown concerning appointments in public universities. The action focuses on enforcement of Section 17A of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012, which prohibits teaching staff from holding administrative posts.

Documents emerging from the University of Haripur point to extensive violations of the law. These documents indicate that a number of faculty members were assigned administrative responsibilities despite the legal restriction.

Among those identified in the documents are Prof Dr Aziz Ullah, listed as Director of the Career Development Centre; Dr Shah Masaud, serving as Director of the Quality Enhancement Cell; Dr Muhammad Jhangir, named as Director of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation; Dr Sami Ullah Khan, listed as Director of the Advanced Studies and Research Board; and Prof Dr Syed Moazam Nizami, serving as Director Academics.

These officials were holding the positions on an additional or acting basis. The matter has surfaced as the provincial government moves to ensure compliance with the law governing public universities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The development places the University of Haripur under scrutiny as authorities pursue a crackdown on appointments that do not conform to the legal framework set out in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act 2012.