SWABI: The University of Swabi (UoS) has got its regular vice-chancellor after 15 months as Prof Nasir Jamal Khattak took charge of his new assignment on Friday, faculty members here told Dawn.

In a similar development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, in his capacity as the chancellor, has given additional charge of Vice-Chancellor of the Women University Swabi (WUS) to Prof Zahoorul Haq, VC of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan.

Prof Syed Mukarram Shah, who was acting VC of both the UoS and WUS, has been relieved of the assignment, and reverted to the pro-vice-chancellor post in the former varsity.

The post of UoS VC had fallen vacant on June 8, 2020, and Mr Mukarram Shah was appointed as acting VC on July 30.

Prof Imtiaz Ali Khan’s tenure of three years was completed in June last year, and Prof Shahid Mehmood Baiq was appointed VC of UoS, but he did not join and assumed the charge as chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation.

“There was an intense need for a regular VC. The Governor Inspection Team (GIT) detected 56 fake degrees and transcripts issued by the UoS, gross irregularities and anomalies and a host of other issues that had perturbed the overall environment in the university,” said a member of a department.

The WUS is also drifting from crisis to crisis. Its regular VC Prof Shahana Urooj Kazmi, who was appointed by the governor on March 6, 2020, was first sent on three months forced leave on May 25, 2021, and then on August 20, 2021. Prof Mukarram was appointed as acting VC of WUS in May, soon after Prof Kazmi was sent on forced leave.

“Mr Mukarram ran the two universities for a long time as he was fully supported by the ruling party,” said a professor.

It is to be mentioned here that not a single employee in the women university has been appointed on a permanent basis despite the fact that the varsity was established in 2015.

USE OUTLET GUTTED: A fire erupted in a utility store outlet on the Swabi-Mardan Road on Saturday, reducing various items to ashes.

The Rescue 1122 officials put out the blaze, thus preventing it from spreading to other shops.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2021