LAHORE, Dec 20: The Academic Group (AG) on Wednesday swept the Punjab University Academic Staff Association annual elections despite the fact that two teacher groups had formed the Teachers’ Alliance (TA) to beat the Academic Group.

Polling was held peacefully at the Institute of Education and Research from 9am to 4pm and Institute of Geology Director Dr Naseer Ahmad supervised the elections.

AG’s presidential candidate Dr Mumtaz Ahmad Salik defeated TA’s Dr Mujahid Mansoori by obtaining 274 votes. Dr Mansoori got 199 votes.

For the seat of vice-president (science), AG’s Dr Nazir Ahmad was elected with 246 votes, while his opponent, Prof Dr Saeed Nagra, got 221 votes. For vice-president (arts), Dr Mahr Saeed Akhtar defeated TA’s Dr M Asif Malik by getting 310 votes. Dr Malik got 151 votes.

For the post of general secretary, AG’s Dr Asmatullah defeated TA’s Dr Zaid Mehmood with 283 votes. Dr Mehmood bagged 184 votes.

For the post of joint secretary, Abida Latif was elected with 243 votes. Her opponent, TA’s Javed Sami, got 229 votes. AG’s Prof Muhammad Ahmad was elected treasurer with 289 votes while TA’s candidate, Iftikhar Ahmad Tarar, bagged 178 votes.

Those who were elected executive members from New Campus are: Abdul Majid Rana, Hafiz Abdul Rasheed, Abid Raza Khan, Shafiq Ahmad, Muhammad Riaz and Asif Anwaar Asghar.

The candidates elected as executive members from Old Campus are: Marghoob Hussain Tahir and Muhammad Arshad.

Talking to Dawn, newly elected PUASA President Dr Salik said the body would work to highlight Punjab University’s Islamic and ideological identity.

Dr Salik, who has been elected for the second successive term, said the body would also become instrumental in improving university’s educational and research standards and take to first position among universities in the country.