ISLAMABAD: President All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association Islamabad chapter Dr Asif Ali has alleged that the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) syndicate gave a “clean chit” to the registrar against the findings of an inquiry into charges of indiscipline against him.

In a press release, Dr Ali, who is also a faculty member of the QAU, said a few months ago the syndicate set aside the findings against Dr Shafiqur Rehman, the registrar, under pressure from some politicians and restored him on the post.

Dr Ali issued the press release almost five months after the meeting of the syndicate which had set aside the charges against the registrar and restored him. Dr Ali appealed to the chancellor the university, President Mamnoon Hussain, to advise the newly-formed syndicate to revisit the matter.

Dr Asif Ali says syndicate gave clean chit to Registrar Dr Shafiqur Rehman against findings of an inquiry into charges of indiscipline

“Dr Rehman not only got illegal promotion to BPS-21 but also made illegal appointments on key positions in the university administration. By any reasonable standard, he was found guilty of gross misconduct liable for immediate dismissal from service,” he said, adding the vice chancellor had ordered the inquiry in May 2015.

The 400-page findings against Dr Rehman were prepared by two eminent retired civil servants and most of the charges were proved, he claimed.

He said the charges which had been proven were: the registrar’s illegal promotion to BPS-21 during the probationary service, extending favour for the appointment of favourite people as faculty members, victimising faculty members by delaying their cases of promotions for years and misrepresenting the facts about applicants for different administrative positions and getting them appointed illegally. He said the registrar illegally got grade 21 and then drew massive financial benefits.

On the other hand, the registrar said he had objected to the illegal promotion of Dr Asif and another faculty member who were now trying to settle a score with him.

“After my removal, these two faculty members got illegal promotions and financial benefits which were later turned down by the HEC, directing the university to recover the amount which they had claimed against the higher posts,” the registrar said.

“As far as the inquiry is concerned, after inspecting my case the syndicate cleared me from all the charges. There was not a single corruption allegation against me. These were administrative charges and the syndicate decided that on the basis of the inquiry report there was no justification for sending me on forced leave or terminating my services,” he said.

“I was the main hurdle in their way of illegal promotion. When I was removed from my position and sent on forced leave, Dr Asif and the other faculty member managed their illegal promotions, which were turned down after many months. Now these two faculty members are liable to return the millions of rupees,” said the registrar.

Meanwhile, Dr Asif claimed that they were promoted in accordance with rules and regulations. Asked about the recovery of the amount, he said they had filed a case with the Supreme Court which directed the university not to reclaim the financial benefit till the matter was decided.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2017