LAHORE: The Punjab University Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Monday accused the university administration of financial irregularities and victimisation of teachers and employees.
The allegations were rejected by the administration as an attempt to pressure it into halting ongoing inquiries.
Addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, JAC chairman Prof Dr Sardar Asghar Iqbal, president Chaudhry Basharat Mahmood along with other office-bearers alleged that the committee had been protesting for three months against what they termed administrative irregularities and denial of teachers’ and employees’ legitimate rights.
The JAC members claimed that Rs4.88 billion had been withdrawn from savings and spent during the past 14 months without the Finance and Planning Committee (FPC) being taken into confidence. It also questioned the transfer of around Rs786 million from departmental accounts to the central account and claimed that details of the use of around Rs5.66bn were unclear.
University spox rejects allegations as pressure tactic
The committee also questioned discrepancies in reported budget deficits, saying a university document showed a deficit of around Rs1.6bn, while the FPC was informed of approximately Rs2.57bn deficit on July 1, 2026.
They claimed that self-support programmes had incurred around Rs350m deficit for the first time and criticised the FPC for holding only one meeting in approximately a year.
The JAC alleged that prolonged gaps in meetings of the Senate, Syndicate, FPC and other forums, delays in selection boards and vacancies in key academic and administrative posts had weakened institutional decision-making.
They also questioned the creation of the post of director general student affairs, estates and security, which it termed illegal.
The committee said teachers and employees were awaiting various financial and administrative benefits, including previous dues, leave encashment, performance awards, house requisitions and time-scale and seniority-based promotions.
They further accused the administration of excessive expenditure on the vice chancellor’s office, residence, vehicles and furniture.
The JAC alleged that dissenting teachers and employees were facing inquiries and punitive action and said an FIR had been registered at Muslim Town police station on Sept 8 against several of its office-bearers after they raised issues.
The committee expressed concern over what it described as a decline in academic performance, claiming that the university’s global ranking had fallen from 542 to 588.
Meanwhile, a PU spokesperson in a press conference rejected the allegations, saying the administration’s position was based on official records, facts and performance indicators.
He alleged that prominent JAC members were attempting to build a “false narrative” to pressure the administration into stopping inquiries, particularly those relating to alleged corruption in Town-III.He said complaints concerning appointments and administrative matters involving certain JAC members were being examined under university rules and law, and would be decided on evidence rather than protests or pressure.
He said allegations concerning personal use of university buildings and public facilities, including keeping domestic chickens on government premises, would also be examined according to rules.
The spokesperson said major financial decisions were made after approval from competent forums and audit.
Rejecting the JAC’s financial assessment, he said the university income had increased from around Rs7bn to Rs12.5bn, while expenditure controls had reduced the budget deficit from approximately Rs2.86bn to Rs1.6bn.
Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026
