Irregularities in Swabi University: PTI government silent, governor takes notice

PESHAWAR: Despite the tall claims made by the PTI government, large scale irregularities have been found in the University of Swabi, after which Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra – also chancellor of the varsity – has directed his inspection team to launch an inquiry and submit its report within 15 days.

It is said that University of Swabi VC Dr Imtiaz Ali Khan resorted to illegal expanses, established new departments and appointed 70 favourites without the syndicate’s approval.

On the complaint of the syndicate members, the governor’s inspection team through a letter SO(III)6(20)6/GS/10 issued by the Governor’s Secretariat has been ordered to investigate the varsity affairs.

According to sources, the syndicate members – Syed Akhtar Ali Shah and Dr Nasir Jamal – and the HEC representative – raised serious objections over the developments. Documents show that the 70 people appointed in Grade-1 to Grade 16 belonged to the same constituency and did not hold any exam for the purpose under Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency. The VC launched a new department after acquiring tobacco market and also launched classes.

Many posts of professors, associate professors, assistant professors and lecturers as well as registrar and treasurer are vacant for a long period, resulting in a decrease in the varsity’s rating. But there was no advertisement for the appointments made by the VC, which is an open violation of merit and the university’s rules.

An advertisement was published during the tenure of the previous VC for the posts of registrar, deputy registrar, assistant registrar and treasurer, after which the candidates were shortlisted. However, none of them were ever called for interview.

Another complaint received by the governor is that of the changes in the required educational qualification and experience for allegedly appointing a university teacher as treasurer. Meanwhile, the registrar was removed after giving the additional charge to the treasurer.

Despite a clear policy given by the HEC, no cell was set up to appoint the regular staff, as the university is being run on the basis of ad-hocism and new department have been established amid paucity of funds. Meanwhile, the already functioning departments are still managed by lecturers and assistant professors.

The VC summoned a senate session without informing the syndicate members and later sent the copies of the decisions made at the meeting, including the budget affairs, in clear violation of the University Act 2002 and the General Finance Rules. According to the documents, the university’s syndicate in its 18th meeting had rejected all the recommendations of the VC concerning budget, setting up new departments, appointments and increasing the income sources. The VC had proposed 100 per cent increase in budget when compared with that of 2015-16 and 2016-17, to which syndicate members – Nasir and Shah – as well as the HEC members raised objections. They sought an explanation from the VC who argued that the increase in budget was required to set up new departments, making appointments and increasing the income sources.

He said the HEC and the government had promised giving Rs 185 million and Rs 320 million to the university, warning that the varsity would face a serious financial crisis in case of non-availability of funds.

On the other hand, all the efforts to reach the VC for his comments in this regard failed. Efforts to contact him at his office number 0938-8490238 were made several times, but his PA said he was very busy and therefore could not talk.

The VC was also contacted on his mobile and SMSs were also sent, but he did not reply. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Secretary Syed Zafar Ali Shah, when contacted, said the VC under the University Act was bound to get approval from the syndicate and the governor in his capacity as the chancellor can order a probe in case of irregularities in the university. However, the provincial government too enjoys the same powers to launch an inquiry, he added. He said the provincial government would act in the light of the governor’s inspection team report, adding that the issue could also end in the senate.