LAHORE: The Pakistan government has extended visa of Aitchison College Principal Michael Thomson, an Australian citizen, only for three months whereas more than one year is left in expiry of his job contract.

Sources claim the visa of the principal was revoked because he had allegedly denied admission to a son of some influential family.

A member of the board of governors (BoG) of the college confirmed that the visa of the principal was extended only for three months. He said he did not know anything about the involvement of any influential family in the matter. He said Mr Thomson had more than a year contract left and he would continue to serve as a principal until completion of his contract.

In August 2015, the Aitchison College management had barred college’s former principal Dr Agha Ghazanfar from entering the college premises.

Dr Ghazanfar was stopped from entering the college by the administration when he had come back from London to take charge of his position. He had also filed a complaint with the Racecourse police station against the administration.

Dr Ghazanfar had also alleged that he was punished for upholding merit. He said he was under immense pressure from influential quarters regarding admissions.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2018