Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab University Institute of Geology senior teachers addressed a press conference against Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasar and Registrar D Naeem Khan for what they described as illegal appointment of new director at the Institute of Geology “in sheer violation of the Syndicate”.

Around 13 faculty members and 15 employees of the institute under the leadership of Dr Shahid Jameel Sameeni – the director who has been removed – Prof Dr Nawaz Chaudhry, Dr Naveed Ahsan and Dr Kamran Mirza were present at the press conference on Friday.

Addressing the conference, faculty members warned the university administration of protest on Monday if appointment of the new director, Shahid Ghazi – who was removed last year on alleged charges of corruption and misconduct – is not withdrawn.

They said that Syndicate had approved the appointment of Sameeni until 2019 and all faculty was happy with him. “Now in violation of the Syndicate orders, Ghazi has been appointed on political bases to please a particular group of teachers,” they said.

Speaking on the occasion, Sameeni that the university administration should not impose the agenda of a particular group and remain impartial as per their announced policy.

Assistant Professor Kamran Mirza said, “The vice chancellor and the registrar have gone back on their words regarding withdrawal of the new illegal appointment. Now we are left with no option but to state a protest or approach a court of law to seek justice.”

Earlier on Wednesday, on a directive of the Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen, PU Registrar Naeem Khan ordered removal of Institute of Geology director Dr Shahid Jameel Sameeni and issued orders for the appointment of new director Dr Shahid Ghazi, who was removed on the charges of misconduct and corruption by the Syndicate on the recommendations of the inquiry committee.