LAHORE, Nov 10: The Punjab University administration has removed controller examinations Prof Dr Ehsan Malik and hall council chairman Prof Dr Mugeesuddin Sheikh.

Sources told Dawn on Thursday that the notification (of their removal) had been issued.

Considered as ‘close associates’ of the vice-chancellor, the professors of late had developed differences with the administration over some issues.

Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology’s Prof M Taqi Zahid Butt and Dean of Islamic and Oriental Learning Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Chaudhry have been appointed as the controller examinations and hall council chairman, respectively.

Sources said the students’ adviser backed by the Islami Jamiat Tulba also played a role in the removal of Dr Mughees who also heads the mass communication department. They said the Prof Mughees was not allowing the IJT to hold its functions in the hostels freely.

They said the vice-chancellor wanted to appoint non-teachers as wardens and superintendents but the idea was opposed by Prof Mughees. The VC also had authorised the hall council secretary to make residential arrangements for the youth convention without the consent of the chairman.

The differences surfaced again when the administration appointed a lecturer as warden of a girl’s hostel in violation of rules.

On the other hand, sources said the newly-appointed hall council chairman had been active against the administration over the controversy of PU housing society which was registered as private limited under the companies ordinance. They said the move was aimed at failing the teachers’ campaign on this issue.

On the removal of Prof Ehsan, the sources there were reports that gross financial irregularities had been committed in the construction of the new buildings of the Institute of Business Administration and the Examination Centre on Wahdat Road. Prof Ehsan also heads the IBA.

Besides, the sources said the VC suspected that Prof Ehsan had joined hands with his opponents. His candidature for the syndicate election had helped VC’s opponent group win the poll.

It is pertinent to mention that the controller’s appointment was ad hoc. Under section 15(3)4 of the Punjab University Act 1973, to create and fill temporary posts, a period must not exceed six months.

Under section 19 of the Act, the controller of the examination should be a full time officer of the university and shall be appointed by the syndicate on such terms and conditions as any determined by it.

When contacted, Prof Ehsan Malik and Prof Mugheesuddin claimed that they had submitted their resignations to the administration owing to their pressing engagements in their departments.

Enlisting their achievements, Prof Mughees said that two hostels were established during his three-year tenure as the hall council chairman besides the salaries of wardens and superintendents were doubled and not a single warden or superintendent was appointed in violation of the varsity rules.

Prof Ehsan Malik said the examination system was computerized and the results were announced in time during his five years period. He said he had organized regular annual convocations whereas between 1969 and 1999 only nine convocations were held.

Registrar Prof Dr Naeem Khan told Dawn that it was a routine transfer and posting matter. He said both the professors had requested the administration to relieve them as they had to look after their departments.

He denied reports that Prof Chaudhry had been made the hall council chairman to fail the teachers’ campaign regarding the housing society. “Since Prof Chaudhry does not have much workload, he can better manage the hall council,” he added.