KARACHI: The University of Karachi’s controller of examinations has been removed from his post, Dawn has learnt.

According to a letter, sent by the Sindh Universities and Boards Department to the university’s vice-chancellor, Dr Syed Zafar Hussain’s appointment was rescinded for “violating the prescribed procedures”.

The development came after the Chief Minister’s Inspection, Enquiries and Implementation Team Department (CMIE&ITD) recommended Dr Hussain’s removal as the KU controller of examinations.

The letter, sent on June 17, 2025, stated that on a summary moved by the CM team, “the department recommends that the contractual appointment of Syed Zafar Hussain as controller of examination for a period of two years should be rescinded as it violates the prescribed procedures and the directives of the chief minister of Sindh”.

Dr Zafar Hussain claims he was appointed by varsity syndicate and only it can remove him from the post

The letter also recommended that “the university should frame recruitment rules for the post of controller of examination and other positions in BS-17 and above. The recruitment against all posts should be done through competitive, transparent and merit-based process to attract talented young and qualified candidates.” It further stated that the KU should strictly adhere to the university code.

The department has asked the university for a compliance report on this letter within seven days.

Although the letter did not mention this, sources said that Dr Hussain may have been removed because he was overage and reappointed after his retirement, which is against the rules of the university.

However, Dr Hussain told Dawn that he was removed following media reports, published in 2023, claiming that the university was filling bureaucratic posts despite facing a financial crisis. “My appointment has been rescinded due to such reports. That issue was reported in 2023 when I was a serving employee. I retired in August 2023 and after six months, I was given a six-month contract of controller examinations post by the Sindh government. Thereafter, I was appointed through the university’s syndicate for a contractual period of two years.”

He said there had been no inquiry against him and lamented that he was removed through a letter. “This is illegal. I was appointed through the syndicate and only the syndicate has the [power] to rescind my appointment, if at all,” Dr Hussain said.

It is pertinent to mention that the Peoples Students Federation (PSF), the student wing of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party, had been pursuing a case against Dr Hussain’s appointment, which it maintained was carried out in violation of the university rules.

A PSF office-bearer had earlier said that they had also approached the CM in this regard with plea to order an inquiry into the matter.

Teachers’ bodies, including the Karachi University Teachers Society and the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA), Sindh, have long been protesting against the appointment of retired staff in varsities.

Talking to Dawn, FAPUASA-Pakistan vice president Dr Akhtiar Ghumro said “Our stand on this issue has always been clear that the retired employees reappointed in universities should be removed from their positions. The removal of Karachi University’s controller of examination is a good decision, and we support it.”

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2025