ISLAMABAD, July 6: The federal government on Wednesday announced a compensatory package of Rs1 million and a residential plot for the family of the late principal of Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, Dr Mohammad Salim Chaudhry, who was assassinated in Karachi last March. An official press release said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz approved the compensation and the award of Tamgha-i-Shujaat to the late principal on the recommendation of Education Minister Lt-Gen (retired) Javed Ashraf Qazi.

Dr Chaudhry was gunned down by unknown men on March 25 while he was returning home from the college. He left behind his wife and three daughters.

The announcement said the compensatory package was approved in recognition of his “being martyred in the service of the nation” and includes full pension, free medical cover for the family and all educational expenses of his daughters till they achieved the age of 25. In its summary recommending the compensation, the education ministry stated that the college was suffering from endemic academic, administrative and financial problems since the late 1990s. Massive political interference and corrupt practices by successive college administration had created an unhealthy environment in the college.

To stem the rot and put the college back on rails, it was indispensable to appoint an able, determined and fearless man as its principal, it said.

Dr Chaudhry had these qualities in him and was hence appointed principal of the college on May 12, 2001.

On assuming the charge, Dr Chaudhry showed a high sense of responsibility and proved himself to be a man of principles. He enforced strict administrative, academic and financial discipline to overcome the worst type of governance problems prevailing in the college, the summary said.

“Many absconding employees were dismissed and quite a few vagabonds were disciplined. Late Dr Chaudhry got a project approved for refurbishing the college laboratories and also upgraded the faculty. As a result, the college started turning the corner.”