ISLAMABAD: Crisis at Federal Urdu University of Arts and Sciences (FUUAS) deepened on Friday after Dr Salman D. Mohammad, who had been temporarily looking after the varsity’s affairs, sacked the registrar and treasurer.

On the second day after being given the management of the university, Dr Salman terminated the services of Registrar Dr Faheemuddin and treasurer Chaudhry Mohammad Ali.

He also transferred many officials in the university.

Talking to Dawn, Additional Registrar Ali Zaman Shah defended the act of Dr Salman, saying he had the right to send the contractual employees packing home.

“Both the registrar and treasurer were contractual employees,” Mr Zaman said.

On the other hand, FUUAS spokesman Qazi Sami said Dr Salman’s actions were illegal.

“In the absence of the acting VC (who is abroad) Dr Salman was given the charge but that does not mean that he can sack anyone at his will,” Mr Sami said, adding that the sacked employees would approach the courts.

“The FUUAS’ vice chancellor is Dr Zafar Iqbal,” he said.

On Thursday, Dr Salman had also sacked Abdul Raziq Memon, in charge Islamabad campus.

It is relevant to note that a few months ago President Mamnoon Hussain, in his capacity as the university’s chancellor, had removed Dr Zafar Iqbal from the position of VC FUUAS, sending him on three-month forced leave. The charge of acting VC was given to Vice Chancellor Karachi University Dr Qaiser.

Meanwhile, Dr Zafar challenged his removal and got a stay order from Sindh High Court and refused to properly handover charge to Dr Qaiser. Later, Dr Qaiser left for Australia and the government instructed Dr Salman D. Mohammad to look after the university.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2015

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