ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Educationists believe the sacking of Gomal University Vice Chancellor (VC) and the resignation by Shah Abdul Latif University VC are politically motivated, Dawn has learnt.

The VC of Gomal University Prof Dr Mansoor Akbar Kundi was sacked by the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Masood Kausar on September 28.

However, Prof Kundi was granted stay order by Justice Anwar Kasi of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on October 3.

He filed an application in the IHC for the stay on October 1 and made Election Commission and PPP senior minister from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rahimdad Khan as respondents Prof Kundi was appointed in 2009 by then governor Owais Ahmed Ghani.

In his petition, Prof Kundi alleged that he had to face the music after he refused to verify the fake degree of Rahimdad Khan.

While talking to Dawn, Dr Kundi said that he was the victim of politics. “If politicians will keep on interfering in universities matters, they will become schools and quality of education will suffer,” he said.

On the same day when the stay order was granted to Prof Kundi, Shah Abdul Latif University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nilofer Shaikh resigned.

A faculty member of a university requesting not to be identified said that Nilofer Shaikh had won best university teacher award in 2000 and also won “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz” in 2009 which was given by the President.

“She was appointed for four years from July 30, 2011 under Notification No GS/6-12/2011(SO-1)/888 and there was no reason for her resignation. We have learnt that there was political pressure regarding appointments on her and even grant of the university was stopped because she was not ready to give in to political pressure,” he said

“A political personality who holds an important position in the provincial government had sent her a list of persons to appoint them in the university as lecturers and assistant professors, who will be appointed presiding officers not only in general elections but also in local bodies elections,” he said.

Former VC Shah Abdul Latif University Nilofer Shaikh while talking to Dawn confirmed that she had resigned but refused to tell the reason for taking such an extreme step.

Replying to a question, she said that political interference in universities affairs has become a routine. She said it was the responsibility of the VCs to deal with them and assure merit as long as possible.

Coordinator of Shah Abdul Latif University, Dr Yousuf Khushk did not pick up the phone despite many attempts.

President of The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Prof Kaleemullah Bareaech while talking to Dawn said that political interference in universities was a common feature.

“On the issues of degree verification and appointments political pressure has become a routine. We demand that VCs of the universities should be appointed by university senate instead of chancellor. We condemn political pressure on university’s managements,” he said.

Media coordinator Higher Education Commission, Murtaza Noor said that HEC provided finances whereas provincial governments dealt with administrative matters. “So HEC can not interfere in that kind of issues,” he said.