CUI barred from acting against academic

PHC serves notices to varsity’s rector and others, making them parties to the writ

ABBOTTABAD:

The Peshawar High Court's circuit branch in Abbottabad has issued a restraining order preventing COMSATS University management from taking any action against Dr Imran Khan, Head of the Department of Management Sciences at COMSATS University Abbottabad Campus.

The court also issued a notice to the director of COMSATS University Abbottabad Campus, demanding a written reply within two weeks.

The double bench, comprising Justice Waqar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Faheem Wali, instructed the COMSATS management to maintain the status quo and refrain from any adverse actions against Dr Khan until the next hearing scheduled for July 2, 2024.

Dr Imran Khan filed a writ petition through his counsel, Sabir Tanoli Advocate, asserting that he was appointed as an assistant professor on April 1, 2013, and had maintained an unblemished service record. Dr Khan contended that he was unlawfully removed from his position as Head of the Department of Management Sciences at CUI by a notification dated June 14, 2024.

He claimed this action was motivated by personal grudges and malafide intentions on the part of the director of COMSATS Abbottabad Campus.

The court issued notices to the rector of COMSATS University Islamabad, the director of COMSATS University Abbottabad Campus, the registrar of COMSATS University Islamabad, the incharge HR of COMSATS University, and the chairperson of the Department of Management Sciences at CUI, making them parties to the writ.

Counsel for the petitioner, Sabir Tanoli, argued that the director was previously found involved in acts of omission and was charged under Section 5 of the Efficiency & Discipline Statute, 2006 (E&D Statutes) of CUI. Consequently, his service tenure was reduced, and a fresh inquiry was ordered by the high court.

The inquiry report has been submitted to the rector of COMSATS University Islamabad for further review.

Tanoli further claimed that the director of COMSATS Abbottabad Campus, driven by personal grudges and malafide intentions, began writing adverse Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) against employees who were witnesses to his alleged offences. This vendetta, according to Tanoli, led to the illegal removal of Dr Khan from his position as Head of the Department of Management Sciences.

Tanoli also cited the charge sheet against the director and the high court's judgment for initiating a fresh inquiry against him.