LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has widen the scope of investigation in the case of former Punjab University vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran and others seeking record of three teachers for alleged illegality in recruitment and other matters.

The NAB Lahore on Tuesday wrote to the Punjab University administration, informing it that inquiry had been initiated against Prof Shahid Kamal, Assistant Prof Abdul Khaliq of Hailey College and Institute of Communication Studies’ Assistant Prof Ayesha Ashfaq.

It sought personal and recruitment files, reports of foreign experts and selection board. These teachers were recruited during the tenure of Mujahid Kamran.

Officials said that Dr Kamran’s administration had awarded foreign scholarship to Ayesha Ashfaq in violation of rules and misused power in the appointment of Shahid Kamal and Abdul Khaliq.

UoS VC enters into plea bargain

The NAB also sought details of the syndicate meeting of August 8, 2014.

The NAB in October last had arrested Dr Mujahid Kamran and four other former administrative officials over allegations of corruption, illegal appointments and nepotism. They were later released on bail.

The main charge they are facing is 550 illegal appointments, mostly grade 17 and above between 2013 and 2016.

Dr Mujahid remained the PU vice chancellor from January 2008 to December 2016.

PLEA BARGAIN: The NAB has entered into a plea bargain with former vice-chancellor of the Sargodha University Chaudhry Akram and two others accused of illegally opening sub-campuses in Lahore and Mandi Bahauddin.

According to an official, former VC Muhammad Akram and two others agreed to deposit over Rs110 million to the exchequer in plea bargain.

“The NAB has submitted the PB in the court for approval,” he said.

The varsity’s former registrar retired Brig Rao Jamil, Lahore campus former CEO Mian Javed, Mandi Bahauddin sub-campus CEO Waris and his partner Naeem and former director admin Akram are other suspects.

The NAB had arrested them in October last. The suspects allegedly made millions by opening illegal campuses.

The students of these campuses suffered a great deal as they could not get degrees.

The chief justice of Pakistan had taken a suo motu notice of the matter and directed the NAB to investigate it.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2019