KOHAT: The Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST) has been without a permanent vice-chancellor for the last three months which is affecting its curricular activities and administrative affairs.

The entire government machinery could not find a single highly educated person in the province to appoint him vice-chancellor of KUST, said an official. He added that owing to the absence of vice-chancellor several matters including signing of bills were pending, appointment of teachers and increase in salaries were pending at the university.

The official said that even security measures were not taken at the university as signature of vice-chancellor was required to release funds for the purpose. The university has currently one guard at its main gate. The students, teachers and other staff members enter the university without any checking by anyone.

Sources said that a junior teacher was appointed acting vice-chancellor of the university but he couldn’t spare time for administrative affairs. Hundreds of files were pending just for the signature of a permanent vice-chancellor, they said, adding that meeting of senate of the university also could not be held owing to absence of vice-chancellor.

They said that the acting vice-chancellor even could not face the protesting students, who kept KUST closed for two consecutive days and uprooted its main gate. He requested the lawmakers to resolve the issue, they added.

Official says several important issues remain pending at the university

A meeting with the protesting students was convened at the hurja of MPA Ziaullah Bangash in the presence of Provincial Minister Amjid Afridi after which the strike was ended. The vice-chancellor did not register any case against the students, who damaged the property of the university.

The students demanded early appointment of a full-time vice chancellor so that the affairs of the university could be run smoothly.

HATE MATERIAL: Police arrested three shopkeepers for keeping books detrimental to religious harmony, sources said.

They said that police raided Kamal Plaza in the city and recovered the books which allegedly contained hate material. Three shopkeepers identified as Azam Khan, Irfanullah and Islam Janan were arrested.

Also, police arrested five illegal Afghans and two suspects during an operation in Dheri Banda area on Tuesday. One Kalashnikov, one rifle and hundreds of cartridges were recovered from them.

Meanwhile, police claimed to have arrested an outlaw wanted in cases of kidnappings for ransom, extortion, drug smuggling and murder here on Tuesday.

DPO Saleem Marwat told a press conference that police arrested proclaimed offender Shah Mohammadi although members of his gang were still at large. He said that they would be also arrested after completion of his interrogation. The IGP had placed a reward of Rs5 million on his arrest, he added.

Published in Dawn January 21st , 2015

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