ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education on Thursday removed the acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science, and Technology (FUUAST) and formed a five-member committee to probe the alleged and financial irregularities in the university.

According to a notification issued by the ministry, “This ministry has credible information that Prof Dr Mohammad Ziaud Din, acting Vice-Chancellor of the university is taking such decisions that are not urgent in nature and which he was authorised to carry out on the recommendations of the Emergency Committee,” read the notification.

The notification further said that the Ministry of Education therefore “withdraws its notification of... dated June 13, 2023, and FUUAST’s acting VC is directed not to exercise any administrative or financial powers, henceforth, because his tenure as per Senate approval has expired.”

As per the details provided by the notification, the matter is being referred to university Chancellor President Dr Arif Alvi to appoint an acting VC as per the law.

The notification conveyed that a five-member committee headed by the Ministry of Federal Education Senior Joint Secretary Abdul Sattar Khokhar has been formed to probe the alleged administrative and financial irregularities of the past two years and also fix responsibility in the light of the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) report, which was finalised on February 23 this year.

Meanwhile, through another notification, the ministry has appointed Chairperson of the Department of Zoology Prof Dr Rubina Mushtaq, as acting VC of the university with immediate effect and until further orders on the directions of the Pro-Chancellor of the university.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2023