ISLAMABAD: Despite tall claims by the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz about significant increase in higher education budgets in the country, one of the biggest universities in the federal capital, the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) is experiencing severe financial crisis. “There is a financial deficit of over Rs 200 million in the university, which is an overwhelming issue in running its affairs smoothly,” IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai said. Talking exclusively to Daily Times, the rector said that money is very important for the development of any institution. “Due to shortage of budget, no new project could be launched in the varsity since the past many years,” he said, adding that “we are hardly able to fulfil the university’s fixed expenditures. Dr Masoom Yasinzai claimed that the university is dependent on self-generated income and only necessary grants provided by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Besides this, he said, endowment funds given by some organisations are another major source to add to the university finances. “Soon after he assumed office, I personally met Federal Education & Professional Training Minister Shafqat Mahmood and shared with him several kinds of issues the university is facing since last many years and also informed him about the overall educational system loopholes,” the rector recalled. “I pointed out the financial deficit of IIUI,” he said, adding that the minister’s response was very positive and hopefully he will take the issue seriously. “I will emotionally blackmail my government in this regard as it made several claims to develop education and to resolve each issue being faced by the country’s education department,” Dr Yasinzai said. He further maintained that if the incumbent government made strategies to improve the education system that would in turn help to play a pivotal role in national development, then universities will definitely take a stand to help the government in its efforts,” the rector assured. While referring to the government’s vision on educational polices, he said to make plans and issuance of directions accordingly is the responsibility of the government while implementation is mandate of universities. “We will follow and set the directions as the government directs us,” he clarified the role of his position. Dr Yasinzai’s four year term is going to complete on October 10 and a Search Committee was devised by the Federal Education Ministry a couple of months ago to seek a new person against the post. The committee started the scrutiny process and so far, two meetings have been held in this regard. Responding to a question, Dr Yasinzai rejected speculations regarding extension in his tenure. However, he said that he is applying for a re-appointment against this post. While discussing irregularities in the university and alleged illegal appointments, he said the “we utmost tried to comply with the rules in each matter. As far as some faculty member promotions are concerned, who attained the promotions on the basis of journals which are no longer declared substandard by the university itself”, the rector said we forwarded the cases to HEC while the commission has yet to respond to. “After completion of documents exchange with the HEC, we will put the cases in the university’s Board of Trustees and if any reversal of appointments is instructed, it will be done,” the rector reaffirmed. He said that it is mandatory for each varsity to follow HEC’s set rules, adding that “we admitted our mistake for defying the rules and we informed the commission that the university has now rectified its shortcomings”. The rector further said that he personally remains involved with the Quality Enhancement Cell of the varsity to help out regarding quality affairs. “Being a scientist and author of over 130 publications, I can assess the status of any publication or journal in a single glance,” he underlined. Published in Daily Times, September 30th 2018.