KARACHI: The Karachi University Teachers Society (Kuts) has expressed concern over what it described as a ‘damaging manner’ the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is handling ‘sensitive information and complaints’ before launching an investigation or proving allegations.

The society has demanded a ‘cautious and respectful approach’.

Teachers concerns are specifically linked to a recent media report suggesting that the bureau is seeking verification of complaints of alleged misuse of authority by the KU vice chancellor.

“Sharing such information with the media before taking the course of investigation and proving allegation is bound to cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the institution and individual(s) concerned against whom the agency intends to initiate inquiries,” said Kuts president Dr Shakeel Farooqi while speaking to Dawn.

He was of the opinion that NAB’s announcement allowed media to speculate in a wild way.

“Premature disclosure of such information may help actual culprits to cover up their crimes and may also set the stage for a media trial,” he believed.

He said the university would welcome any investigation into any alleged corruption on the campus but “humiliation of the vice chancellor or any other teacher will not be tolerated”.

Sharing teachers’ concerns over the arrest of former vice chancellor of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, he said they were shocked to see him hand-cuffed in newspaper pictures.

“It is true that the KU faces grave financial crisis and there seems to be a high degree of nepotism and violation of financial discipline in university affairs but that doesn’t mean the vice chancellor should take all the beating.”

He requested the media to identify specific malpractices, if any, but not to malign the name of the university.

Violation of rules

Pointing out violation of rules on the KU campus, Dr Farooqi criticised appointment of a principal secretary and a former secretary to the KU chancellor (governor) on the university syndicate against the seats of eminent citizens.“This is an obvious case of conflict of interests. The way the game of musical chairs has been played around the post of director finance over the past five years is also a matter of concern for all teachers,” Dr Farooqi said.

Hiring officers from the chancellor secretariat or on the recommendation of the CM House would serve no purpose except to intimidate and influence the university administration, he noted.

He condemned the political appointments in the university and urged the vice chancellor to resist influence that hindered progress of the university.

Meanwhile, KU dean faculty of social sciences Prof Moonis Ahmar has written a letter to the chancellor of the university, highlighting his reservations over the recent nomination of Prof Khalid M. Iraqi (dean faculty of management and administrative sciences) as member syndicate for a period of three years.

He requested the chancellor, Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, to look into the matter and review the decision in order to ensure justice and uphold merit.

“As the dean faculty of social sciences, meritorious professor and serving as full professor since 2001, I have serious reservations concerning the appointment notification as neither seniority nor merit led to the decision.

“Furthermore, since Prof Iraqi’s term as dean, management and administrative sciences, is expiring in December 2016, how can he be appointed as a member syndicate for a period of three years?” the letter says. The appointment was made against the category of dean.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2016