Tainted IUB officials face action
PHOTO: File
An inquiry committee has recommended action against three officers of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur for corruption and one for sexual harassment.
According to university sources, the committee has recommended action against IUB Planning and Development Director Farkhunda Tahsin, Project Director Asif Qureshi and former treasurer Abu Bakar for corruption.
It also recommended action against former security in-charge Ijaz Shah under the PEDA Act over his alleged involvement in sexual harassment.
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The registrar of the university has received the report of the committee formed by the South Punjab Higher Education Department to investigate a drug, harassment and corruption scandal.
It called for action under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEDA) Act for alleged corruption of millions of rupees and one for harassment.
The committee also recommended removal of the officers from their posts.
The report will now be presented in a meeting of the university syndicate.
As many as seven separate teams had been formed to investigate alleged drug abuse, sexual harassment and corruption in the university.
The university sources said corruption and irregularities of millions of rupees in development projects and repair and maintenance work had come to light in the report sent to the registrar.
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The higher education department committee had submitted its report to the Punjab chief minister, which has now been sent to the IUB registrar after approval from the governor.
It revealed that the planning and development director had awarded a tender as the focal person for a project contract under public-private partnership to the sole applicant despite a lack of competitive offers. After that, the focal person allegedly colluded with then treasurer Abu Bakar to make an advance payment of Rs620 million to the company.
As per the agreement, the company had to build and hand over to the university three faculty buildings and four student hostels in two years. However, despite receiving the advance payment, it carried out work worth only Rs180 million during the period.
Project Director Asif Qureshi has been also been accused of committing corruption in repair and maintenance work.
The sources said action related to the report would be taken after its presentation in an upcoming meeting of the syndicate.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2023.