Daily Times

Since its foundation, two main administrative offices of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) ever remained in confrontation with each other, which not only spoiled the varsity’s name but also badly affected the quality of education, said a senior dean while wishing anonymity.

The rector and president of the varsity are two main administrative offices in the IIUI. Currently, Dr. Masoom Yasinzai is custodian of rector office while a Saudi National Dr Ahmed Yousif Al-Draiweesh is appointed as President IIUI. Both the top brass are enjoying each second term of service against their respective slots.

Currently, both Dr Yasinzai and Dr Draiweesh are in confrontation with each other. Reliable sources disclosed Daily Times that conflict between both offices surged apparently after a letter written by Dr Yasinzai to chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Tariq Banuri.

In the letter, Dr Yasinzai complained about poor management and weak governance of the university caused due to president office. While talking to this scribe Dr Yasinzai claimed that the letter was written in response to academic audit carried out by the HEC.

“The HEC pointed out many academic shortcomings and inquired us to respond over this”, he recalled adding that we informed the commission that these issues occurred apparently due to bad governance of the President office. Interestingly, Dr Yasinzai said that letter was not meant to hold responsible Dr Draiweesh ‘in person’ for overwhelming academic issues but to president or president office was main culprit behind this situation.

Another interesting fact is that, as per sources, in the past Dr Yasinzai was forefront who recommended Dr Draiweesh for his second four years’ term against the post of President IIUI. A senior official questioned that why Dr Yasinzai ignored all his administrative flaws of the President on that time which he is pointing now? As per rules, chancellor (President of Pakistan) is appointing authority of the rector who is MP-I scale officer and can enjoy the salary package with other perks fall in this category.

According to the copy of cheques obtained by Daily Times, Dr Yasinzai was additionally receiving monthly salary of US $2700 other than his rector- ship salary in Pakistan, from ex Pro Chancellor of the IIUI, Dr Sulman Abdullah Aba Al Khel of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr Yasinzai, however, bluntly denied the facts. “How is it possible that Dr Sulman pay me such salary when he knows about my job in Pakistan?” he questioned innocently.

The rector remained stuck with his statement even after this scribe informed him about availability of cheques’ copies.

Surprisingly, as per sources, Dr Yasinzai never ever bothered to inform these forums about his foreign salary. “Instead, the rector concealed this salary from chancellor, BoG as well as from BoT”, said a senior administrative official while wishing anonymity.

The Rector used to get that amount in foreign currency while opening accounts opened in different banks of the country. Moreover, he never fully disclosed these payments in his tax returns.

The sources said that boom days of Dr Yasinzai changed into glooms days all of sudden when Riyadh had launched investigations against Dr Sulman for his alleged corruption and financial embezzlement in his country. Subsequently, the sum being received by the rector stopped which, the officials maintained, left him in high frustration. The sources added that afterwards, Dr Yasinzai launched alike campaign against Saudi National as writing letter to higher authorities was one of such development.

On the other hand, the multiple payments of thousands of dollars to the rector irked the academic community within IIUI. They said that the university is already passing through a severe financial crisis and irregularities would badly affect more.

A senior faculty member who has 26-year service in the varsity said wished not to be named that the dual salary payment to Dr Yasinzai is a matter of great concern, adding that many faculty members raised questions that university is facing a serious financial crisis and some necessary payments were delayed for many months. “On the contrary the Rector was receiving dual and hefty amounts without any disclosure and approval,” he regretted. He recalled that such irregularities affect quality of education ultimately. It is pertinent to mention that some faculty members in IIUI have been recently asked to pay back their salaries received during leave period after it was revealed that they had been doing unauthorized jobs.