Misuse of authority: Man with many hats siphoned off millions

Comsats internal inquiry finds NTS ex-chief Haroon Rashid guilty of irregularities

ISLAMABAD: An internal inquiry report of Comsats Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) showed its former pro-rector and chief executive officer of the National Testing Service (NTS) was simultaneously holding 11 positions while siphoning off millions of rupees, keeping key stakeholders in the dark.

“[Haroon] Rashid has been exercising unauthorised power as pro-rector in matters relating to human resource. Apparently, there was no protective measure in place, enabling him to commit serious irregularities while using his authority in appointments, promotions, transfers and award of financial perks and privileges,” is one of the findings of a five-member CIIT team that was formed on the directives of its board of governors.



The former pro-rector of CIIT and chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Testing Service (NTS), Haroon Rashid, had lost both his jobs after his PhD thesis was found plagiarised.

The CIIT is a public sector university run by the Ministry of Science and Technology while several of its projects are funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

“The committee recommends a detailed probe to unearth the extent of irregularities and suggest remedial measures,” the report stated.

The report also questioned the role of the then rector, Junaid Zaidi, (now executive director of Comsats) and other directors not named in the report.

Rashid was appointed rector in December 2012 which was also considered illegal by the auditor general of Pakistan in its recent report which stated: “The post had been created specifically for Rashid” in violation of the CIIT ordinance.

According to the report, Rashid after acquiring PhD (later revoked by the university) drew Rs25.71 million against financial benefits in terms of PhD allowance, enhancement of salary and other perks as pro-rector.



As pro-rector, Rashid had unbridled control over most departments in the CIIT. He was convener or chairperson of ad-hoc selection committee of all campuses; contract review committee; security committee for CIIT; event coordination committee; committee to resolve students administrative and academic matters and others.

Nine other departments were also directly reporting to Rashid, including the university’s press, faculty development academy, office of event coordination and management. In the HR, most appointments made by Rashid were without formal approval of the authority concerned and in violation of the pre-set procedure.

He also posted NTS employees in the CIIT without any legal authority while the rector’s office was used to bypass the competent authority in some cases, including increase of salaries and Pak-China Business Forum.

The forum was also dubbed irregular by the auditor general’s report.

Since the establishment of the virtual campus in 2014, budget details were never presented before the board of governors for approval, the report stated.

Detailing the NTS-CIIT nexus, the report stated that a whopping Rs227 million or more was ‘dished out’ to the virtual campus by the testing service without the approval of the competent authority. Interestingly, it turned out that the virtual campus was still to be approved not just by the board of governors, but because of HEC reservations too.



In startling revelations of the committee, minutes of the recruitment committee were signed by members but in some cases whitener was used to modify recommendations and salary package without any counter signature. Interestingly, these recommendations were never presented before the rector for his approval.

“In some cases the recommendations of head of departments or director campuses were overruled besides gross irregularity was committed by tampering recommendations,” it stated.

The committee also questioned the Pak-China business forum held in 2016 where Rs84.7 million was spent without any lawful authority.

A CIIT official, who wished not to be named, said the process for recovery of money misused or financial gains had begun. Authorities concerned, including the Ministry of Science and Technology also need to probe the matter.

Most of the people identified to be involved in wrongdoings are still at the helm of affairs at the university, the report stated.