GUJRAT: The experience certificates of director press, media and publications of the University of Gujrat (UoG) turned out to be fake as the Punjab governor, also the chancellor of the university, has directed the Syndicate to review the recruitment on the post in light of the facts presented by the university registrar.

Two out of three experience certificates of Press, Media & Publications Director Sheikh Abdul Rashid were disowned by the issuing authorities.

The UoG had advertised the post on March 16, 2014 and required “PhD in Mass Communication with 12 years relevant experience in BS-17 or above or MBA/MA Social Science (1st Division) from an HEC recognized institution with 15 years relevant experience in BS-17 and above”.

A grade-18 officer of the Punjab Information Department, Haji Ahmed Naeem, an applicant for the post, was neither shortlisted nor was called for interview. Being an aggrieved party, he filed a petition to the governor. The UoG used delaying tactics to prolong the inquiry by not providing the documents to the petitioner; however, the governor called for first hearing on Dec 18, 2018.

UoG Registrar Dr Tahir Aqil submitted his report on the petition, saying it had two parts. Regarding not calling the petitioner for interview, he said, the candidate had not submitted complete experience certificates and his application was rejected under clause 8 of the advertisement; however, the registrar admitted that candidate was neither informed telephonically nor by post. Responding to second part, the UoG submitted two reports on Jan 3, 2019 and Feb 6, 2019 that two out of three experience certificates submitted by Sheikh Abdul Rashid at the time of appointment had been disowned by issuing agency/authority that might be termed serious issue regarding his appointment to the post.

The chancellor, after hearing all the parties, disposed of the petition of Haji Ahmed Naeem with directions to the UoG Syndicate to decide the matter of fake experience certificates submitted by Sheikh Abdul Rashid and also duly endorsed by the UoG registrar through the university’s own verification procedure.

The chancellor showed serious reservations as to why the credentials of the director press, media and publications were not verified unless directed by this forum.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid was recently given additional charge of director administration and coordination by UoG Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Faheem Malik even after the decision of the governor.

On the other hand, inquiries and proceedings were conducted against Mr Rashid on various charges by the acting regime, which too are yet to be presented before the Syndicate.

There has been no meeting of the Syndicate for the last almost one year whereas a regular incumbent in the VC office is also expected to be notified in the current month as three shortlisted names have been sent to the chancellor by the selection committee of the Higher Education Department.

Sources say the Syndicate meeting is expected soon after the appointment of the regular VC.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2019