Protest held in support of UoP Vice-Chancellor

Hayat has been accused of plagiarism in his PhD dissertation.

PESHAWAR:

As University of Peshawar’s (UoP) Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Azmat Hayat faced plagiarism charges, civil society organisations rallied at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday to show support.

The protesters demanded an end to the interference in the university’s affairs by a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Dr A Z Hilali, who led the protesters, said a particular NGO was interfering in the university’s internal affairs and politicising specific issues on campus.

He said such behaviour will not be tolerated and no one should be allowed to disrupt the university’s environment or malign personalities associated with the institution.

He alleged that certain elements were indulging in negative propaganda against Hayat to hide their own shortcomings.

In order to find out the truth on plagiarism, the degrees of all students who had obtained their MPhil or PhD degrees during the past five years should be checked, said Hilali.

Later, the demonstrators peacefully dispersed after lodging their protest.

Hayat has been accused of plagiarism from an Indian author in his PhD dissertation.

It has been reported that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has sent its findings on the case to K-P governor, who also happens to be the chancellor of UoP.

However, Hayat has so far remained silent on the issue. In the meantime, a law professor and an NGO has been on the forefront of a campaign being run on social networking websites, asking the VC to resign from his post.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2011.