KARACHI, Dec 19: Vice-chancellor of the University of Karachi, Dr Zafar Saeed Saify, has removed the heads of the departments of Biotechnology and Public Administration, and asked them to hand over the charge to their respective deans of faculties.

Sources at the KU told PPI on Wednesday that chairman of the department of Biotechnology, Prof Dr Abid Azhar and chairman of the department of Public Administration, Dr Muhammad Humayoon, were ordered to give charge to the deans of faculties on the last working day before Eidul Fitr.

The letters addressing both the heads did not contain any explanation for their removal nor were they given the reason by any other means, the sources said.

They disclosed that both the departments had no professor or associate professors (except these two) who could be appointed as the future heads.

According to the KU rules and regulations, only a professor or an associate professor could be appointed as the head of any department, they said.

They added that Prof Dr Abid Azhar, who was earlier a professor at the department of Biochemistry, was transferred to the department of Biotechnology as head of the department, whereas the department of Public Administration had only two professors. Prof Abuzer Wajidi has been appointed as dean, faculty of Arts, while the only other professor Dr Muhammad Humayoon was removed without any explanation.—PPI