HARIPUR: The chairmen of different departments and administration officers of the University of Haripur have opposed acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Ayub Khan’s decision to advertise different positions and reinstate three employees and demanded of the government to step in to declare the move null and void.

Interviews for the selection of the regular VC were scheduled to be held on May 7 and 8.

In a joint letter written to the governor’s principal secretary, chief minister, higher education minister, chief secretary and higher education secretary, the university’s eight administration officers said the decisions of the acting VC had serious repercussions for the university’s reputation.

They said Rashid Mehmood, Aybak Khan and Ahsan Nawaz were hired in 2012-13 as BPS-17 contractual employees but they were relieved on June 7, 2021, as the syndicate had approved the appointment of regular employees in their places through a selection process defined in the rules.

Chairmen of depts, others seek govt’s intervention

The administration officers said the relieved employees moved the court and their case was still pending decision but the acting VC, who was set to retire on June 23, had ‘illegally’ reinstated them on March 28, 2022, despite opposition by the deputy registrar and law officer, and appointed Rashid Mehmood as deputy registrar (establishment) against the regular post of BPS-18, Mr Aybak as assistant registrar (meetings) and Mr Ahsan Nawaz as assistant director (quality enhancement cell).

They said the acting VC also appointed Affan Khan as the lecturer to the horticulture department at the fixed pay for three months without fulfilling the legal process and posted BPS-16 employee Junaid Khan to the audit section after removal of a BPS-18 regular officer.

The officers also insisted that the acting VC advertised the posts of 28 lecturers, deputy director (BPS-18) at the Business Incubation Centre and deputy provost (BPS-18), two deputy registrar (BPS-18), deputy registrar (student financial aid) (BPS-18), deputy controller exams (BPS-18), assistant director (horticulture) BPS-17, assistant director (works) (BPS-17) and junior medical officer (BPS-17) despite opposition by the chairman of the horticulture, Islamic Studies, medical lab testing and chemistry departments declaring them against the law and without need assessment.

They demanded of the governor, CM and other relevant authorities to step in for ensuring cancellation of the hiring process.

Prof Ayub Khan didn’t respond to Dawn’s call and text message on his mobile number.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2022