LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday restrained Prof Dr Asad Aslam from functioning as King Edward Medical University’s acting vice chancellor and directed pro-vice chancellor Prof Dr Qazi Saeed to look after the administrative affairs of the institute.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the order on a petition filed by a citizen, Iftikhar Ahmad, and also sought a reply from the provincial government within a fortnight.

The petitioner through counsel contended that the government appointed Prof Dr Asad Aslam as acting VC of the KEMU in violation of rules. He said the Act of the university did not allow appointment of acting vice chancellor. He pointed out that pro-vice chancellor was competent to run affairs in the absence of a permanent vice chancellor.

The counsel alleged the impugned appointment was a case of sheer nepotism. He urged the court to set aside the appointment of respondent (Dr Aslam) as acting vice chancellor for being illegal.

Opposing the petition, a provincial law officer argued the government appointed the respondent as acting VC for being a senior most professor till the appointment of a permanent incumbent.

However, the chief justice suspended the notification of the impugned appointment of the acting vice chancellor and directed the pro-vice chancellor to take over the administrative control of the institute.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017