Higher education: FAPUASA demand an end to faculty victimisation

Seeks immediate merit based appointment of a rector at Comsats

ISLAMABAD: Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has condemned suspending of Dr Mehnaz Haseeb by the Comsats University Islamabad interim set up. “Public sector universities are being governed as private property,” FAPUASA Islamabad Chapter President Dr Sohail Yousaf said in a statement on Monday.

Nepotism, corruption and out of merit appointments at top slots in higher education institutes has spoiled overall teaching and research culture of higher education in Pakistan, he said.

FAPUASA has demanded the newly elected President of Pakistan and Chancellor of Federally Chartered Universities Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri to take notice of the wave of victimisation of faculty members in federally chartered universities.

Sohail strongly condemned the illegal suspension of Prof Mehnaz Haseeb over charges of illegal faculty gathering, which was otherwise a freedom of speech.

He said it is very unfortunate that interim setup is consistently crossing their role set by constitution of Pakistan and by verdicts of apex court. Constitution of Pakistan ensures freedom of speech and freedom of association as basic human rights. However, the incompetent and acting heads of institutions are using their black mailing tactics to victimize the faculty, added Sohail.

He also demanded to advertise the vacant position of rector Comsats at the earliest and during the meantime interim setup should perform only day to day affairs.

Dr Sohail said the meeting of the syndicate by the complete interim setup of Comstas University is illegal and chancellor should take notice of not only illegalities but also victimization of faculty and stoppage of their salaries by Comsats Interim Rector Dr Raheel Qamar who is also an accused of severe plagiarism.

He said the recent termination of two faculty members of International Islamic University Islamabad on exposing the malpractices, illegal appointments and unlawful award of BS International Relations degree to Abdul Majeed Aldarweish the son of President IIUI Dr Ahmed Yousaf Aldarweish is highly condemnable. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2018.