Inquiry begins against Sindh University VC

Finance director directed to submit details of expenses in the university

HYDERABAD: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has initiated an inquiry against Sindh University (SU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat, investigating a range of expenditures made with his approval. ACE Deputy Director Zameer Ahmed Abbassi asked the SU finance director on Thursday to submit details of the expenses made under 20 separate heads in the university in a week.

The finance director has also been asked to appear before ACE officials on October 17. “It has surfaced that a series of illegalities and corrupt practices have been committed by a cartel of the university’s officers in connivance with each other through an organised conspiracy,” reads the letter sent to the SU director finance.



The ACE has sought the list of bank accounts and bank statements since Burfat took charge, which includes comparative statements of profit earned from SU’s fuel stations before and after Burfat’s joining and complete details of the development work in his tenure. The record of contingency, repair and maintenance expenses; appointments, promotions and postings; budget and expenses of faculty development program; details of foreign tours made on SU’s money are among the required details.

The finance director will also have to furnish information about the revenue generated by the SU through various means, the university’s land under encroachment and contracts given for various services obtained by the university. The list of vehicles in use by the VC and his family as well as the fuel cards issued to them is also among the required documents.

Following the letter, the SU VC convened a meeting at his office in Jamshoro on Thursday. The meeting discussed a range of issues including the development budget, income and expenditures of SU, land utilisation and encroachment, among other things, according to a press release.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2018.