Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Syndicate has sent two more of its top officials on forced leave for indefinite period, Daily Times has learnt.

According to sources privy to the development, the Syndicate, in its meeting held on May 6 (Saturday), directed sending QAU Acting Registrar Sabir Khan and Controller Examination Sardar Baber on forced leave.

Sabir Khan was proceeded against over allegations that he had failed to improve his performance. He was also accused of making biased decisions in the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC).

He, according to sources, favoured some officials to help them get promotions. The Syndicate also questioned his performance, stating that he had not dealt with several promotion cases that had been pending for years. “He only finalised some specific promotion cases. This was done to favour some officials,” sources said.

However, Khan told Daily Times that the allegations were baseless. “I have been serving this institute honestly for the past 19 years,” he said.

Controller Examination Sardar Baber, sources said, was sent on forced leave after an old sexual harassment complaint against him was reopened.

In its Saturday’s meeting, the Syndicate cleared over 40 different agenda items, including confirmation of the punitive action against former registrar Shafiqur Rehman. He had also been sent on forced leave on the conclusion of an inquiry against him.

After the decision, QAU’s two top administrative positions are now vacant. QAU officials said that it was an unfortunate situation as no new nominee had been proposed.

The decisions to send the officials on forced leave raised eyebrows. According to university bylaws, the register is the Syndicate secretary. However, he was not allowed to attend the meeting.

“He was not even given a chance to explain his position over the allegations against him,” sources said.

Requesting anonymity, an official, who was present in the Syndicate meeting, said that the decision against Sabir Khan was surprising. “The allegations against him – not performing well – are not so serious that he should have been immediately sent on forced leave. When the Syndicate made the decisions for sending these officials on forced lead, the vice chancellor of the university, who is the chairperson of the body, was asked to leave the meeting,” sources said.

As far as Controller Examination Sardar Baber is concerned, the sexual harassment inquiry against him had been concluded four years ago.

Sources said that Baber had been cleared in the inquiry. “The case was decided in his favour on technical grounds. Reopening an old case is very surprising,” said a Syndicate member.

“Initially, the Syndicate also considered sending VC Javed Ashraf on forced leave due to his lax administration. However, some members strongly resisted such a move, and pointed out the legal hurdles,” the member said.

According to rules, the VC can only be sent on forced leave or removed by the chancellor of the university. The president of Pakistan is the chancellor of the QAU.

Despite repeated efforts, the QAU VC remained unavailable for comments. However, Sabir Khan confirmed the decisions made by the Syndicate.