LAHORE: The Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) is embroiled in an administrative controversy following an attempt by the outgoing acting vice chancellor, Dr Shagufta Naz, to remove Registrar Babar Ali Khan from his position.

In response, Mr Khan issued a stern warning to all university employees, cautioning them against complying with what he described as an “illegal order”.

On Aug 19, 2024, Dr Naz, on her final day in the office, issued an order laying off Mr Khan, leveling allegations of disobedience and non-compliance with lawful directives.

As per one of the accusations against Mr Khan, he bypassed Dr Naz’s authority by directly corresponding with the office of the governor/chancellor, an action that allegedly violated clause 47(3) of the Punjab Rules of Business, 2011.

These actions, according to sources in the university, led to disruptions in both academic and administrative operations at the LCWU.

However, Mr Khan, who remained on his post, quickly countered this move by issuing a notice that declared the VC’s order void ab initio, citing the chancellor’s sole authority to appoint or remove a university registrar.

The notice, circulated on Aug 21, 2024, said that any compliance with Dr Naz’s order would be considered an “act of complicity”, exposing the individuals involved to potential legal consequences.

A senior member of the LCWU syndicate told Dawn that the vice chancellor does not possess the legal authority to remove or lay off the registrar, controller, or treasurer of the university. “The chancellor is the appointing authority for these positions,” the member explained. “If a vice chancellor has any issues with these officers, he/she must file a complaint through the government or higher education department to the chancellor for any action to be taken.”

Earlier, Punjab Governor and Chancellor Sardar Saleem Haider issued directives to acting vice chancellors of 25 public sector universities, barring them from holding syndicate and selection boards meetings till the appointment of regular incumbents.

In June 2024, the governor had issued a notification restraining acting vice chancellors at 25 public sector universities from making long-term decisions or holding syndicate and selection board meetings until the appointment of regular incumbents. The directive was aimed at ensuring stability and proper governance in the affected institutions.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2024