Punjab University: VC asked to take action over ‘illegal practices’ in PhD paper

Institute of Communication Studies teacher denies wrongdoing, says he has proof.

LAHORE: An assistant professor at the Punjab University Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) and member of the Doctorate Program Coordinating Committee (DPCC) has written to the vice chancellor seeking action against another ICS teacher for alleged illegal practices in his PhD exam.

On March 25 at 4pm, Dean of Behavioural and Social Sciences Dr Zakaria Zakir asked for an answer sheet without the permission of the exam coordinator.



Amir Bajwa was ordered to solve his PhD comprehensive paper exam illegally in the office of the dean instead of the ICS, under the supervision of Dr Shafiq Jalandhary, ex-ICS chairman.

“Amir Bajwa has already appeared thrice in the PhD exam and has failed in all three attempts,” wrote Dr Afirah Hamid Ali in her application, which has been received by the vice chancellor’s office and a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune.

According to DPCC rules, candidates cannot attempt the comprehensive paper exam more than three times. Dr Ali, as exam coordinator, asked the vice chancellor to take legal action against Bajwa.



An ICS faculty member said this was the second time that a DPCC member had written to the vice chancellor complaining about Bajwa sitting the exam again.

This application would get a diary number– meaning it would be registered – at the VC’s office on Thursday, the faculty member said.

Punjab University public relations officer Khuram Shahzad declined to comment. Punjab University public relations director Muhammad Isar Rana said he wasn’t aware of the application and would have to consult the vice chancellor.

Bajwa said he was not aware of any application, but maintained that he had done nothing illegal and was prepared to present proof to a PU inquiry committee if one were set up.

He said that former ICS director Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz had unlawfully stopped him from attempting the comprehensive paper exam and he had written an application of complaint against him to the vice chancellor.

Dr Naz said that Bajwa was a very poor student who “can’t write a single sentence, in Urdu or in English”. He said that Bajwa had performed very poorly in his Comprehensive Paper exams on the first two occasions.

“He then got permission from the vice chancellor and then DPCC head Dr Shahida Hasnain to sit the exam a third time.

I set the paper then. It was a master’s level paper and was subjective, but he still failed,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2013.