SU VC told to step down amid inquiry

Confronted with a graft probe, the embattled vice chancellor (VC) of Sindh University, Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Burfat, has been directed to take a month's forced leave from his post. The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday through the Secretary Universities and Boards Department Muhammad Riazuddin notified his removal.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah notified his removal through the universities and boards secretary on Monday. Dr Burfat has been replaced by Prof Dr Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro, the Pro VC of the SU Laar campus in Badin district, as the acting VC.

The CM exercised his powers under the Sindh Universities and Institutes Law (Amended) Act, 2018, for the replacement, ordering Dr Burfat to proceed on leave immediately so as to avoid any undue interference in the inquiry.

Shah also constituted a committee to probe "allegations of gross misconduct, inefficiency, corruption, violation of budgetary provisions, moral turpitude, maladministration and mismanagement" and submit a report within 30 days.

The Anti-Corruption Establishment charged Burfat and 66 other SU officials as well as private individuals in a corruption reference on September 1, accusing them of embezzling funds worth Rs738.6 million. The inquiry was initiated in November, 2018.

Last month, the Sindh Law Department recommended that the CM remove Dr Burfat from his position.

Others implicated in the FIR include SU Thatta focal person Sarfaraz Solangi, registrar Ameer Abro, former registrar Saleem Chandio, former dean of the faculty of natural sciences Prof Dr Akhtar Hussain Mughal and former secretary to the VC Hafeez Abro, among others.

They have been charged with violating rules and regulations in making appointments, embezzling funds through fake billing, violating Sindh Public Procurement and Regulatory Authority rules, making illegal advance payments and tampering with invoices of fuel supplies.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2020.