LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to implement recommendations of the Higher Education Department (HED) regarding illegal appointments at the University of Engineering & Technology (UET).

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi observed that in case the matter was not solved in the next meeting of the university’s syndicate, the NAB could proceed in accordance with law against the authorities concerned.

Ghulam Hussain had filed a petition through Advocate Sheraz Zaka saying the UET vice chancellor had made several illegal appointments including that of the registrar and the controller of examination. He said an inquiry on the matter was pending with the NAB and had not been completed for the past two years even after the HED recommended removal of the illegally appointed officials.

A NAB prosecutor told the bench that action was being taken against those responsible for illegal appointments.

Opposing the petition, the UET counsel argued that the recommendations of the HED were binding in nature. Therefore, he said, the pending inquiry of the NAB should be set aside.

However, the bench disposed of the petition with direction to the chancellor to ensure implementation of the HED recommendations in the next syndicate meeting of the UET.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2019