KARACHI, June 30: The examination controller of the University of Karachi on Thursday expressed his inability to continue on the post telling the authorities that he wanted to be relieved.
A source on the campus, said that controller, Syed Anwar Zaidi, who is also an associate professor at the KU's Mathematics department, had informed the authorities that he would not be able to hold the office of the controller of examination further for personal reasons.
However, at a time when the Masters examinations are due to commence in July and preparations for degree class supplementary exams were in progress, senior staffs of the varsity saw the development in another way and said that it should be taken seriously by the high-ups. The vice-chancellor of the university is out of the country at the moment.
KU has been failing to get a regular (full-fledged) examination controller for the last many years and appointed some one from its officers or teachers to look after the examination affairs from time to time. After advertising the controller's post in 2004, the varsity had received 7-8 applications, but it could not hold the selection board for the purpose so far, said the source.
When contacted KU pro-vice-chancellor, Dr Akhlaq Ahmad told Dawn that Mr Zaidi had visited him in the afternoon on Thursday to express that due to his involvement in examination works he was finding it very difficult to pay due attention to research activities in his capacity as a faculty member and as such he would like to be relieved from the post of controller.
Since, it was all off a sudden from Mr Zaidi, I have asked him to continue till the time a replacement is found, Dr Akhlaq added, saying that any decision will be taken in a day or two.
Mr Zaidi told Dawn that due to the continued examination works he was not finding a time to supervise his MPhil students. I have tendered resignation from the post of the controller of examination, but will continue till the time a new person assumes the charges of the post, he added.
It was learnt that a group of teachers were believed to having political connections had pressurised Mr Zaidi to quit the examination department. The group wants to see one another of its affiliates on the post of the controller, added another source, saying that since the VC was out now pro-vice-chancellor was being approached for the purpose.
In the meantime, the varsity did not conduct BSc part-I Home Economics paper on Thursday for what it said unavoidable circumstances. Now the postponed paper will be held on July 4.
