FAISALABAD: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad faculty is up in arms against the pro-vice chancellor who transferred the registrar, principal officer (estate), secretary to VC and the Community College principal.

All these officials have been transferred as they ‘dared’ to inform pro-VC Dr Asif Tanveer that transfer of secretary to VC Tassadaq Shehbaz was against the rules and regulations.

Academic Staff Association (ASA) secretary Dr Anjum Zia raised the voice publicly against these transfers and postings terming them illegal. Subsequently, he was also removed from the slot of Community College principal.

Now Dr Haq Nawaz Bhatti has been appointed against this slot.

Sources told Dawn that tension gripped the faculty when Dr Asif Tanveer removed secretary Tassadaq Shehbaz from his slot and replaced him with Muhammad Jameel.

Mr Jameel, who also served as the secretary to VC earlier, was on leave till Feb 16, however, his leaves were cancelled and he was called to join duty.

Treasurer Umer Saeed, who was holding the additional charge of registrar, objected to this move and informed Dr Tanveer that Shehbaz had been appointed after approval of the selection board.

Dr Tanveer transferred Mr Saeed following his suggestions and now Tariq Mehmood Gill, a deputy registrar, is looking after the charge of registrar. Mr Saeed had been given the charge of registrar by the syndicate as the seat was lying vacant.

Principal officer (estate) Dr Qamar Bilal was also transferred as he endorsed the suggestions of Mr Saeed.

Now Dr Muhammad Javeed Akhtar has been appointed as estate officer.

On Jan 29 last, the ASA along with other employees of the university staged a protest demonstration against the reshuffle and allotment of the houses to ‘irrelevant’ persons.

Carrying placards, the agitators gathered at the Clock Tower of the university where they delivered speeches against some house allotments and appointments by Dr Tanveer.

Dr Anjum Zia said the UAF was considered as Asia’s top agriculture university which was waiting for a regular VC.

He said the ASA of the UAF was committed to work with dedication for the betterment of the university and its staff as well.

He said a delegation of ASA held a meeting with Dr Tanveer and expressed their grievances and reservations over the appointment of Jamil (SST) as secretary to VC, against the legal proposal of university administration.

He said Shehbaz was duly appointed as secretary to VC through selection board and syndicate as well.

He alleged that Jamil is involved in favouritism, nepotism and corruption as well. His appointment as secretary to VC is against the dignity of the university and the letter issued by Governor House on Nov 2, 2018 and also a university letter issued on Dec 15 last. The letters provide for guidelines for appointments.

Besides, he said the ASA showed reservations on allotment of a house on the campus against the rules.

He said the ASA emphasised the university administration to maintain strict merit procedure as the house was already advertised for assistant professor category. However, the advertised house was allotted to an associate professor.

The UAF spokesman said as per University Act, the competent authority could replace and assign any administrative assignment to any officer/employee of the university for the smooth functioning of the university as per rules.

He said ASA was a faculty platform where they often raise their demands. Their advice as per rules and regulations are being considered.

He said the house allotments were made by the House Allotment Committee. Later Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad, who is battling the legal fight for the VC slot, cancelled those allotments. Now the house allotments process is under considerations as per regulations.

Treasurer Mr Saeed was holding additional charges of registrar, director (procurement), director (internal audit) and principal officer (motor pool). He is relieved of the additional duty of registrar for the smooth functioning.

The PO (estate) and secretary to VC have been relieved as the VC has the discretion to transfer and assign any task to any appropriate employee/staff in the best interest of the university affairs.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2021