PU removals controversy

The abrupt removal of a senior warden and a superintendent of a hostel by the Punjab University (PU) vice chancellor have sparked a heated debate among the faculty members who have alleged it as a pure case of “victimization”.

According to sources, the new appointments were not made as per the university rules while those who were removed from the administrative posts were not directly informed about the decision.

PU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran appointed Dr Muhammad Abdullah, Associate Professor, Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre (SZIC) as Superintendent of the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Research Centre Hostel (SZIRCH) and Prof Dr Mehmood Akhtar, Director Islamic Centre as Warden SZIRCH for a period of 2 years, each on Feb 16.

Those who have been removed include Dr Mumtaz Ahmad Salik (superintendent) and Prof Dr Shabbir Ahmed Mansoori (warden). The sources said both the senior teachers were not informed that their services for administrative posts were no more required. “They have been merely provided with appointment orders of fresh incumbents”, the sources added. A number of senior professors believe that Dr Salik has been removed as he openly opposed the administration when he was head of the PU Academic Staff Association (PUASA).

“Both the warden and superintendent have been performing the duty for the last many years and there had never been a complaint against them”, said a teacher, adding, “Their abrupt removal was certainly unjustified.” “It is also indecent on part of PU administration not to inform as to why they had been removed”, he further observed. The teachers further said it was strange that the VC had not accepted resignation of Chairman Hall Council Dr Saeed Ahmed Nagra despite passage of over a month while he (the VC) abruptly removed the senior officials without mentioning any reason.

It is important to mention here that in early Jan, Dr Nagra, after winning elections of PUASA as its president by defeating Dr Salik, had resigned from his office of the chairmanship of university Hall Council. However, since then his resignation has not been accepted by the VC. There is general feeling among the faculty members that PU VC was allegedly victimizing the former PUASA president and the other senior professor, as both belonged to the opposite camp, in connivance with Chairman Hall Council. They also see present PUASA as “friendly-opposition”.

A senior faculty member, on condition of anonymity, said as per the rules administrative posts like warden and superintendent were duly circulated among the teachers and appointments were made after interviews conducted by a committee. PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. Chairman Hall Council Dr Saeed Nagra said it was sole prerogative of the VC to change any warden or superintendent at any time. He said it was an administrative decision and had nothing to do with PUASA. He refuted the allegation that it was a decision based on victimization. “This is in no way victimization”, he emphasized.

Dr Nagra however added the administration had received complaints that some “criminals” were living in the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Research Centre Hostel.

To a question, he said he did not know why the VC was not accepting his resignation from Hall Council chairmanship.

Dr Mumtaz Salik when contacted said it was against the PU traditions that those removed were not informed. “I came to know about the decision through appointment of a fresh incumbent”. “Its tradition in PU that appointments against such posts are made once one withdraws himself or herself”, he added.

He however rejected the allegation that some “criminals” were living in the hostel. “The administration never informed or nominated any one in writing or verbally in this regard”, he added.

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