The clash between two groups of academicians over the administrative control of Isra University, Hyderabad campus, has taken a dramatic turn.
Isra University Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ashraf Laghari informed the police on Tuesday that the chancellor and his family have been kidnapped a day after the incumbent Chancellor Asadullah Kazi withdrew his petition against Isra Islamic Foundation (Guarantee) Limited,
He blamed his adversaries who want to take over the administrative control of the varsity, Prof Dr Ahmed Waliullah Kazi and Prof Dr Hameedullah Kazi, for the abduction.
However, a rebuttal came on Wednesday from Asadullah and his son through a letter and a video recording, respectively, denying that any incident of kidnapping ever occurred and claiming that they are safe. They rather blamed Laghari for allegedly sending his armed men behind them when they left the campus.
Laghari’s case
According to a letter which Laghari wrote on November 2 to the Sindh police inspector general, Hyderabad DIG and SSP and Hatri police station SHO, the chancellor, his son and wife, who are also professors in Isra, left the university on Tuesday. When their vehicle reached the main gate of Isra village house scheme, located in close proximity to the campus, they were stopped by around 50 armed guards.
Prof Dr Abdul Subhan Kazi, the chancellor’s son who is also dean of the faculty of commerce, economics and management sciences, stepped out of the car to speak to the guards but one of the guards sat on the driving seat and drove the vehicle away to some unknown place. “We [Laghari] have been trying to locate them but their mobile phones have been switched off and they have not reached home,” reads the letter.
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The VC expressed concern and feared that the chancellor and his family might be harmed by Waliullah and Hameedullah Kazi, who also claimed his appointment as the chancellor. Laghari urged the police to immediately locate the missing family, also pointing out that they have to appear before the Sindh high court on November 4. “... and that is the only reason they kidnapped the honourable chancellor so that he can’t appear in the court,” alleged Laghari.
On Wednesday the varsity’s registrar launched an appeal stating that the chancellor has been missing since 3.30pm, November 2, and that his mobile is switched off. “If anyone knows anything about the chancellor, please come forward to help to secure the safe return of the chancellor,” the letter of appeal reads.
Meanwhile, the registrar also issued a notification appointing the VC as the acting chancellor of Isra University, allowing him to exercise all the powers and perform all duties and functions of the chancellor.
Asadullah’s refutation
“It is further clarified that we are safe at our home and continue to follow our respective routine and do not apprehend any threat from Waliullah Kazi, Hameedullah Kazi and their families,” reads a letter written by Asadullah to IGP Sindh, DIG and SSP Hyderabad and SHO Hatri.
“On the contrary, we were followed by numerous armed persons at the instructions of Laghari and his son Zaid Laghari to our house [in Isra village].” The housing scheme’s guards did not allow Laghari’s men to enter to protect the chancellor and his family, he added.
Asadullah claimed that since his case was fixed for withdrawal of his petition against the foundation, which is being represented by Waliullah and Hameedullah, Laghari and his son began to harass and intimidate the chancellor. They wanted him to desist from withdrawing the petition. “They [Lagharis] are continuing spreading false and fictitious information [regarding him],” he stated.
In a video recording, Asadullah can be seen sitting in a drawing room accompanied by his son Dr Abdul Ahad Kazi who is saying that his family is safe. Ahad also blamed Lagharis for trying to hurt them.
Background
On October 18, 2020, the foundation’s board passed a resolution appointing Hameedullah as the chancellor. The selection was challenged by Asadullah, who was then siding with Laghari, in the court.
On November 2, he submitted before the SHC Karachi that he accepted the October 18, 2020, resolution and that he does not wish to challenge his removal from the office by the BoD. He went on to endorse all the decisions which have been taken by the board over the last year concerning the varsity.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2021.
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