Laghari barred from working as Isra University VC

SHC warns Sindh police chief of contempt proceedings if order not implemented

HYDERABAD:

The Sindh High Court has barred the disputed vice chancellor of the Isra University, Prof Dr Nazir Ashraf Laghari, from continuing to perform the functions of the VC.

The Hyderabad Circuit Bench has directed the police and the district administration to implement SHC's August 15 order which had barred Laghari from holding that office.

"… the VC under dispute shall not make any decision concerning the university until September 13 when this matter will be argued fully by both sides [before a DB of SHC]," the SHC Karachi, meanwhile, had issued an ordered on Friday. The varsity and its hospital have remained in the throes of a tug of war for its administrative control between two groups of academicians. One of the group is headed by Laghari and the other by the Kazi family.

The SHC Hyderabad bench particularly directed the Sindh IGP, DIG Hyderabad, SSP and Deputy Commissioner to implement the August 15 order to stop Laghari. The court warned of initiating the contempt proceedings if the order, given in a petition filed by Chancellor Isra University Ghulam Qadir Kazi and Acting Registrar Ghulam Rasool Kazi, is not complied.

The SHC Karachi was hearing an urgent petition filed by Laghari. "One again despite order dated August 24, 2023, an urgent application has been filed as apparently the appellant would be prejudiced if this case isn't decided before September 13," the court noted.

Laghari's tenure expired on June 23 and the Kazis secured an order from the SHC which barred giving an extension to him until the matter was decided. But Kazis maintain that Laghari has clung to the position.

The contentious issue of either giving an extension of tenure to Laghari or appointing a new VC will be decided once the SHC the legality of Isra University (Amendment) Act, 2023, is settled. The Kazis challenged the amendment because it empowered the varsity's governing body to appoint a new VC or give extension to an incumbent.

They have argued that Isra was established by Isra Islamic Foundation and only the foundation's nominated chancellor can appoint its VC and the not the governing body. The matter is pending hearing in the SHC.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2023.