LARKANA, March 16 Larkana circuit bench of the Sindh High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the chancellor of universities, Sindh chief secretary and vice-chancellor of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University Prof Sikandar Ali Shaikh in a petition filed by Dr Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah.

The bench, comprising Justice Shahid Anwar Bajwa and Justice Imam Bakhsh Baloch, issued notices after admitting the petition challenging appointment of Prof Sikandar as the vice-chancellor of SBBMU.

Inayat Moriyo advocate on behalf of his client Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shah, a retired orthopaedic surgeon, took plea that appointment of Sikandar Shaikh on contract was in violation of the rules laid down by the Supreme Court in a human rights case.

He said that more efficient persons were available than Mr Shaikh, but the officials concerned ignored them despite the fact that he was not fit (for the job). Many qualified and capable persons could have competed for the post if it had been advertised, the petitioner said.

He said that Professor Shaikh during his tenure as principal of Chandka Medical College and head of the surgery department had failed to establish burns ward and intensive care unit. Mr Shakh was also accused of discouraging merit and favouring his well wishers.

The petitioner requested the court to issue a writ of Quo Warranto restraining Professor Shaikh from performing as vice-chancellor and declare his appointment illegal.

He requested the court to direct the chancellor of universities of Sindh and chief secretary of the province to appoint a capable and suitable person on merit.

The division bench did not give next date for hearing and the petition was kept in queue for hearing on date in office.

SURVEY A survey of 129 archaeological sites, that were declared protected and recently handed over to the Sindh cultural department, has revealed that they are in dilapidated condition.

Talking to journalists at the press club here on Tuesday, secretary of the cultural department Shams Jafferani said that the sheer negligence by the department of archaeology could be gauged from the fact that it had been earmarking only Rs850,000 for the maintenance of 129 sites throughout Sindh.

He said 158 employees stationed at different sites would be absorbed in the department of culture on June 1.