Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training asked the Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC) to probe the irregularities and unlawful appointment in Hazara University highlighted by Senator Azam Khan Swati in light of detailed reply submitted by the university.

The sub-committee met here in Parliament House with Senator Sehar Kamran in the chair to discuss the all appointments of BPS 1 to 22 in Hazara University Mansehra. Senator Javed Abbasi and Senator Mushaid Hussain Syed attended the meeting, whereas the representative of HEC and Hazara University were also present in the meeting.

In beginning of the proceedings, Senator Javed Abbasi tried to distance himself from the committee by saying; “I feel that my attitude in last sitting was biased on the issue as I took a clear stance against the university administration on the matter.”

The Chairperson of the committee, representatives of HEC and Hazara University welcomed his positive gesture and showed their full confidence on the Senator and ask him not leave the proceeding as they don’t have any objection on his presence in the committee.

The Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed while responding on the agenda points told that there are some quality and governance problems in Hazara University as for instance HEC sent 25 to 30 lecturers of Hazara University abroad to pursue their PhD degree, but when they return in the university after completing their degrees they are waiting for promotions from last couple of years, whereas even the students of these faculty members are adjusted on good positions in other institutions.

The representative of the Hazara University briefed the committee that the university is working without permanent Vice Chancellor (VC) from last two and half years, which is causing problems in the institution.

Senator Mushaid Hussain Syed has said; “How an institution can work effectively in absence of a permanent VC.”

The Chairman HEC updated the committee members that HEC have already directed all universities to initiate the recruitment process before six months of the retirement of sitting VC to avoid inconvenience and for the continuity in policies.

The Hazara University submitted a brief working paper in the committee containing details of sanction employees’ strength, details of current employees from BPS 1 to 22, and details of employees, who left the university, whereas a district wise summary of employees has also been submitted before the committee.

The Chairperson of the committee Senator Sehar Kamran shown her anger on the officials and said; “We have just received the working paper submitted by the Hazara University. It will take time to understand the matter and to reach a conclusion.”

The committee members asked Chairman HEC to minutely investigate the matter by engaging Hazara University officials and submit a brief report on the matter before the committee in next meeting.

The Daily Times have learnt by over viewing the working papers submitted by the Hazara University Mansehra that the University has total 1390 sanctioned posts including 721 posts of BPS 1-16, and 669 posts of BPS-17 and above. The 479 posts are still vacant in the university as currently 347 employees are working in BPS-17 and above, whereas 584 employees are working in BPS 1-16.

The acting Vice Chancellor of Hazara University briefed the committee that they have 53 PhD faculty members and the university has four faculties having 31 academic programs.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has assured the committee that he will submit his report in next meeting of the committee, which would be held on next Tuesday.