MUZAFFARABAD: Employees of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) took to the streets, here on Monday, to condemn what they alleged shifting of their institution’s funds to other seats of higher learning in the region.

They demanded immediate restitution of the funds shifted to the Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), University of Poonch Rawalakot (UPR) and Women University Bagh, beyond their genuine share.

They also warned the authorities of “direct action” in case any more funds were unlawfully transferred from UAJK to any other public sector university in future.

The demonstration was held under the banner of Officers Welfare Association and Administrative Staff Association, which represent the gazetted and non-gazetted employees of the AJK’s first higher seat of learning, established in 1981.

The protesters chanted slogans against UAJK Vice Chancellor Dr Syed Dilnawaz Ahmed Gardezi for his alleged failure to protect the interests and assets of the institution.

“If shifting of our resources is allowed to continue, one day this university may not be in possession of as much funds as are required to provide salaries, let alone pensions,” said Syed Shafaat Gillani, president Administrative Staff Association.  

He asked the government to appoint someone from amongst senior academics as UAJK VC so as to arrest recurrence of steps that had brought them onto the streets.

“If any junior academician from any other institution is appointed as our vice chancellor we reserve the right to take any extreme step, responsibility of which will rest on the shoulders of AJK rulers,” Mr Gillani warned.

He pointed out that while people from all over AJK had been provided jobs in UAJK, recruitment in the new universities established in Mirpur, Rawalakot, Kotli and Bagh had been done locally, in what was a glaring example of regional prejudice.

“Why can’t those universities have employees from all over AJK like that of the UAJK? If not, then does it mean that our university is a green pasture for everyone,” he said.

The protesters also demanded cancellation of the appointments made on the basis of what they said “personal likes and dislikes” and emphasised that merit should be the sole criteria for inductions against all vacant positions in all departments.

Similarly, they also demanded that promotions of officers and administrative staff should be made in accordance with their seniority.

They further pointed out that most officers were enjoying “dual charge” also on the basis of “likes and dislikes” and that should be immediately done away with.

“If the issues we have pointed out today are not addressed by January 30, 2015, we may go on a complete strike from February 15, 2015,” declared Syed Zawar Hussain Naqvi, president Officers Welfare Association.  

Many protesters also seemed to be very cross with AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan’s alleged role in “stripping the UAJK of its resources due to regional prejudices.”

The AJK president happens to be the chancellor of all public sector universities and, unlike provinces, still holds sway in appointments and postings there. 

“Unfortunately, the president is not treating all universities even-handedly,” one official told Dawn on the occasion, while requesting anonymity.

Giving example, he said the share of UPR, established in 2011, was Rs42 million, but the president had influenced shifting of Rs105 million to it.

Similarly, he added, MUST, which was established in 2009, was given Rs88 million against its share of Rs44 million.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the UAJK public relations department denied that UAJK funds were being shifted to any other institution. Instead the Higher Education Commission was providing funds to new universities in AJK, it said.

Published in Dawn, November 25th , 2014