Daily Times

The incumbent government, on one hand, making claims for merit and transparency while on the other hand it has appointed a person as Pro-Vice chancellor of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (PMASAAU) Rawalpindi who had been allegedly involved in corruption and many other irregular practices.

According to the notification, Punjab governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, who is chancellor of PMASAAU, appointed Dr Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi as Pro Vice chancellor of the varsity. Dr Abbasi was dean faculty of crops and food sciences in the varsity.

According to a letter written by former vice chancellor of the PMASAAU Dr Rai Niaz Ahmed to Governor/ chancellor, Dr Abbassi was involved in land corruption cases. The letter stated around 300 Kanal of agricultural land was purchased in 2006 by the university while payments were made with no physical possession, adding that after number of inquiries Dr Abbassi with another official were proved guilty in this case.

The letter also revealed that the Syndicate which is apex forum of the varsity had already been cheated by a fake report submitted by land purchase committee.

It further said that “rather than taking agronomy chairman case in 80th Syndicate meeting, the discussion on his (Dr Abbasi) involvement in the land corruption and offering the position of chairman to another senior professor, University administration rewarded Dr Faiz Ul Hassan by his continuation as a chairman with a note of prior permission of the syndicate”. It added the practice is not been done and he should be removed from the position.

Other hand 300 Kanals, the documents stated, another piece of 1,500 Kanals were also purchased in Syed Kasran and Koont areas of the Tehsil Gujerkhan on Mandra-Chakwal Road. The documents revealed that the land was purchased from different farmers at the rate of Rs 32,000 per Kanal. The sources, however, said that the purchase committee did pay these farmers Rs 8,500 per Kanal. Dr Abbasi was part of that purchase committee.

Interestingly, Dr Abbasi soon after assuming charge has made reshuffling. “He appointed his blue-eyed against various key administrative positions in the varsity and transferred incumbent officials on the basis of personal dislikes”, said a senior official wishing not to be named.

When contacted, Director Media Arshad Nawaz Chauhdry said that Dr Abbasi is highly qualified person and has best academic profile. He rejected the allegations of land corruption against Dr Abbasi.

‘These are mere allegations and as per rules the promotion and appointment could not be halted”, explained Nawaz Chauhdry.

Published in Daily Times, January 30^th 2019.