CJP orders suspension of Punjab University VC

Says it is unfortunate that a ‘quack’ was appointed as vice chancellor

LAHORE: The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on Saturday ordered the suspension of the vice chancellor of Punjab University while hearing multiple cases at the top court’s Lahore registry.

The two-member bench, headed by the CJP, also ordered the senior most professor to temporarily replace the VC. “The government didn’t appoint another VC because this one gave into their illegitimate demands,” the top judge remarked over the illegal allotment of the varsity’s land to the provincial government. VC Dr Zakria Zakar submitted his resignation at the apex court.

The bench further directed a search committee to find a suitable candidate for the vacant position. The bench also noticed that the appointment of VCs was not done on merit. The court expressed its dismay that Isa Muhammad had appointed “a quack” as the VC.

At the same time, the court was happy that its search committee had nominated three “splendid” candidates for the post in question. The court ordered that an individual with a “sublime reputation” should be appointed as the vice chancellor.



Bunch of quacks

The top judge further expressed his happiness over the doctors’ report on the suo moto notice taken of the poultry feed. The chicken meat and the poultry feed was deemed fit to be consumed and not harmful.

According to the report, the meat was not harmful for consumption and that germs found in the chicken claws were a norm. The CJP told Faisal Masood that the court was grateful to him for preparing the comprehensive report by going to every shop and store and wrapping up the matter up at the earliest.

State of hospitals

In another suo motu, the court adjourned its hearing for a week to give time for the gathering of suggestions and ideas on how to improve the current state of hospitals. During the hearing of quacks and action against them, some fake doctors managed to enter the court premises.

The top judge expressed his frustration and hinted they be locked up. He ordered them to leave the court. “Those who play with the lives of other people are not deserving of any leniency,” he added.

Pollution in Sargodha

Resuming the hearing of the suo motu notice taken of pollution emitting from a chemical factory in Sargodha, the court directed that a sample of the chemical waste be sent to PCSI and Punjab laboratories for further testing.

In his remarks, the CJP said that he won’t let people fall sick, even for a moment, on his watch. Justice Nisar also said that the owner of the crystallised factory was an influential person, linked to multiple MNAs and MPAs. The top judge said that he was told not to express his anger against this individual.  In the environmental pollution case, the commission sought a report soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2018.