PHC stops disciplinary case against University of Peshawar professor

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has restrained authorities from moving ahead with disciplinary proceedings against Prof Dr Shabir Ahmad Khan, a BPS-21 academic and former acting director of the Area Study Centre at the University of Peshawar.

A division bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Inamullah Khan passed the interim order after hearing initial arguments in the case. The court also issued notices to the respondents and asked them to file para-wise comments.

Appearing for the petitioner, Barrister Syed Saad Ali Shah argued that the charge-sheet and statement of allegations were issued by a person who had neither been appointed director of the Area Study Centre nor was lawfully serving as its acting director. He contended that proceedings against a senior professor and former acting director could not be launched by someone without statutory authority.

The petition further states that the centre, established under the Area Study Centres Act, 1975, has been without a regular director for more than six years. Counsel told the court that in its 46th meeting on June 1, 2023, the Board of Governors had given acting charge of the centre to the University of Peshawar vice chancellor, not the official who later initiated the disciplinary action. The petition also challenges the basis of the proceedings.