GUJRAT: The University of Gujrat (UoG) has appointed Prof Dr Muhammad Ateeq (BPS-21) principal Nawaz Sharif Medical College (NSMC) on an additional charge basis.

Dr Mirajul Siraj (FRCS) tendered his resignation from his office some six weeks ago “over administrative issues” of the college and its teaching hospital.

According to a notification issued by UoG Registrar Dr Tahir Aqeel, the competent authority (vice chancellor) is pleased to award the additional charge of principal NSMC to professor of surgery Dr Ateeq with immediate effect and till further orders along with financial benefits whereas Prof Dr Mirajul Siraj is hereby relieved from the duties of the principal NSMC.

Dr Siraj was given the acting charge of Principal Office in October last year when Dr Zafar Iqbal Gill had to tender his resignation over dissatisfaction shown by Minister for Health Khwaja Salman Rafique and health secretary Najam Shah with his performance.

Dr Siraj had been facing a difficult situation due to alleged noncooperation of the administration of the UoG and the district administration in coping with the difficulties in the affairs of the college. He was also allegedly facing pressure from an influential group of doctors of the teaching hospital to approve some admissions to a postgraduate course against the rules.

Since the NSMC has been a constituent college of the UoG, the vice chancellor appoints the principal of medical college either on acting or additional charge basis from any of its senior faculty members instead of making an appointment of principal on a regular basis.

“The NSMC principal has neither any financial power nor control over college’s important matters,” Dr Siraj had told Dawn the day he tendered his resignation and deplored that he was given the task of improving the hospital as well as the medical college but neither the university administration nor the district administration had supported him.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2018