LAHORE: A Lahore High Court full bench on Thursday sought details of minister Zaeem Hussain Qadri’s previous appointment and powers he wielded as special assistant to chief minister after his role surfaced in the approval given to Bahauddin Zakariya University of Multan for establishing its sub-campus in Lahore.

Earlier, the minister appeared before the bench along with Advocate General Punjab Shakilur Rehman Khan in connection with hearing of petitions about alleged illegality in the establishment of the Lahore sub-campus of BZU.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, who heads the bench, inquired the AG under what authority Mr Qadri had forwarded the summary for the approval of the sub-campus. The law officer sought time to submit a written reply on behalf of the minister.

The judge allowed the opportunity directing the AG to also submit record of Mr. Qadri’s appointment as special assistant to chief minister and his powers.

At one point, the judge further asked the AG to explain as to why persons involved in approving the summary were not implicated in a reference pending before an accountability court of Multan.

Justice Naqvi restrained the accountability court from finalising its proceedings on the reference and adjourned hearing till Feb 25. The bench also summoned record of NOC given to four other universities to establish their sub-campuses. They include University of Gujrat, Government College University Faisalabad, Sargodha University and Islamia University Bahawalpur.

On complaints by some students regarding hurdles in their enrolment, the bench asked them to approach the advocate general for the support.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2017