SAHIWAL: Multiple complaints have been lodged against the management of the Comsats University’s Sahiwal Campus for creating an unhealthy academic environment, committing administrative irregularities and violating the university charter.

The academic and non-academic staff associations have raised concerns at various forums, including the principal seat of Comsats in Islamabad and the rector’s office, regarding the management led by the campus director, Dr Nazir Ahmed, but failed to get any relief. Documents and sources close to the situation reveal several instances of mismanagement and misuse of power, including favouritism and humiliation of faculty, use of abusive language, illegal appointments and recording of phone calls by Dr Nazir.

Dr Shakeel, the president of the Academic Staff Association (representing all Comsats campuses), confirmed that there were multiple inquiries and complaints pending against Dr Nazir.

The story goes year back as 2019, a high-level five-member inquiry committee, headed by Prof Dr Izhar Hussain, was formed to look into complaints of one Farooq Shoukat against Dr Nazir Ahmed who was then the head of the Computer Science Department. The committee recommended his termination from service but the political influence by former federal minister Nouraz Shakoor and Fawad Chaudhry, who was then a minister in the PTI government, saved him to the extent that he was given the charge of the campus director in 2020.

It is alleged that he had appointed an individual as deputy registrar despite clear instructions of the board of governors (BoG) against him. Despite having senior members with relevant experience in Accounts/Treasury, Dr Nazir elevated an inexperienced person from the examination department to head the accounts section, forcing more experienced staff to work under him. There are multiple reports of humiliation of faculty and non-faculty staff, leading to protests and submission of signed minutes of meetings to the university authorities. The meeting minutes of the Academic Staff Association Sahiwal Campus, dated Feb 26, 2024, mention these allegations.

Written complaints revealed that the director was known for his abusive language and disrespectful behaviour towards employees. From 2017 to 2019, the university high-ups issued warning letters regarding his humiliation of staff. Resultantly, he was removed from his position as the head of the Computer Science Department.

There are allegations that the director illegally tapped telephone calls and private conversations of colleagues who disagreed with his policies. Recent inquiries reached the level of investigation by the principal seat in Islamabad.

Rana Qasir, the president of the University Staff Welfare Association Comsats University Islamabad, alleges there is an ‘unhealthy’ and ‘filthy’ environment and demands swift action for betterment of academic excellence. The alleged misuse of power and misconduct highlights the need for intervention by the higher authorities at Comsats to restore a healthy academic and administrative environment at its Sahiwal Campus.

While responding to Dawn queries about the allegations and complaints, Dr Nazir said he was not aware of any such complaints against him.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2024