ISLAMABAD: Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has formed a three-member committee to investigate alleged plagiarism committed by former Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed in compilation of his two books.

However, former HEC chairman claimed the books in fact were booklets based on his lectures.

But media reports say Dr Ahmed had mentioned them the books in his CV he submitted for the post of HEC chairman.

Former chairman claims ‘plagiarised’ books were based on his lectures

Central President of FAPUASA Dr Kaleemullah formed the committee comprising three experts and faculty members. The president of the association said the existing plagiarism policy should be applied across the board and FAPUASA would ensure its effective implementation and monitoring to root it out from higher education sector.

He alleged that plagiarism policy was used to victimise ordinary faculty members but when it came to high profile cases including the former HEC chairman, efforts were being made to exonerate them.

He demanded that plagiarism committee should function independently without any pressure and same parameters should be applied to high profile and ordinary cases.

When contacted former HEC Chairman, who is also a candidate for new HEC chairman, said that he had been targeted by few individuals because of vested interest.

“Since, I am a candidate for the post of HEC chairman, so a malicious campaign is being run against me,” he said.

A search committee formed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi recently interviewed 97 people including Dr Mukhar Ahmed.

He said that his books, which are being dubbed as plagiarised, were booklets based on his lectures he delivered at Virtual University.

“Though, I mention these two booklets in my CV, but I never claimed that these booklets are books,” he said.

“I would like to clarify that the books are the transcripts of four courses I taught at Virtual University.

“The lectures are a collection of my study of various theories, concepts, etc., that are part of different textbooks.

“These booklets of VU under discussion are hence not a copy but transcription of the delivered lectures as lecture notes,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2018