HYDERABAD: Vice Chancellor of the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Prof Dr Aslam Uqaili has declined to become part of a two-member inquiry committee formed to investigate the alleged corruption case against Sindh University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat and others.

He, along with the Sindh planning and development board chairman, was notified as a member the committee tasked with investigating alleged corruption to the tune of Rs738m by Prof Burfat and 67 others.

Dr Uqaili sent a letter to the Universities and Boards Secretary Mohammad Riazuddin on Sept 18 stating that it would be a “conflict of interests” if he became part of the committee.

He argued that besides the Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, the MUET and SU shared common interests and conflicts.

He pointed out that engineer Qazi Riaz, the in-charge of MUET transport, was one of the nominated accused in the case registered by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

He also noted that the SU and MUET were engaged in some conflicts over students’ hostels, residential accommodation and land demarcation and he had signed various papers with the SU VC to resolve them. That’s why, he said, he did not find himself fit to become a member of the inquiry committee.

Some other issues were also of common nature between the two universities which might make the inquiry controversial, Dr Uqaili told Dawn by phone.

Prof Burfat tried to get the ACE case against him quashed but the Sindh High Court recently dismissed his petition through a detailed order.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2020