ISLAMABAD: As a case is pending adjudication in the Supreme Court of Pakistan against Dr Mohammad Amjad Chaudhry, the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) on Saturday withdrew the charge of registrar Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (Pims) from him.

It was alleged that the account of the Pims University in a bank was also under the title of the registrar and his wife. In the account, funds released by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for the university were deposited.

However, Pims Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Akram told Dawn that the syndicate of the university had endorsed the appointment of the registrar so after receiving the letter from CADD a meeting of the decision-taking body would be called to look into the matter. He also said Dr Amjad had already been found innocent by an inquiry committee.

A few months ago, it was found that the account of the Pims University was also under the title of the registrar and his wife.

A letter issued by CADD on Saturday stated that in view of the allegation of maintaining the university account in the personal names of Mr Amjad and his wife, already under scrutiny in the apex court, the senior most administration cadre doctor of Pims be given the additional charge of the registrar.

“Moreover, it is directed that the university should ensure that in future no employee of Pims except those who have opted for the university be given any assignment in the university without prior approval of CADD.” Dr Akram told Dawn that two months ago when the case was taken up by the Supreme Court, he was shocked to know that the account of Pims was also being operated by the registrar and his wife.

“I immediately constituted an inquiry committee, headed by Prof Iqbal Memon, to look into the matter. However, during the inquiry it was revealed that both Dr Amjad and his wife never did any transaction from the account. As a result, they were declared innocent,” he said.

“I also contacted the bank and it transpired that because of a mistake by a bank official, the names of Dr Amjad and his wife had been included in the title of the account. The bank not only admitted the mistake in writing but I also arranged a meeting of its representative with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to address the matter,” he said.

“The account is used for funds given by the HEC for the university and it cannot be operated by any other person. As soon as we get the letter, we will call a meeting of the syndicate.”

Dr Akram said the secretary CADD and lawmakers were also members of the syndicate so they would take an appropriate decision on it.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2017