ICCBS-KU separation put on hold

Action Committee demands ban on Dr Iqbal Chaudhry's re-admission

KARACHI:

The proposal to separate the internationally recognised International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) from the University of Karachi has been put on hold after the Sindh chief minister ordered the postponement of a key meeting of the Charter Inspection and Evaluation Committee (CIEC), officials said on Thursday.

The CIEC meeting, scheduled for Friday to discuss the legal draft for ICCBS's separation, was deferred on the instructions of the Chief Minister's House, temporarily pausing the process. The draft had earlier been presented to the Sindh Cabinet, which referred it to the committee for review.

Despite the pause, donors associated with ICCBS continue to lobby for the institute's separation from the university.

Meanwhile, the ICCBS Action Committee held a press conference outside the institute, demanding a ban on the re-admission of retired professor Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry to Karachi University. Committee representatives alleged that his 21-year tenure as ICCBS director had "caused significant damage" to the institution and accused him of fostering an autocratic environment.

The committee also opposed attempts to hand over ICCBS, through what they described as a controversial bill, to individuals including Nadeem Punjvani and Aziz Jamal. They demanded that the directorship be limited to a three-year term, similar to other KU departments, to prevent long-term concentration of power.

Addressing the press conference, Action Committee member Safir Muhammad said that the SHC had ruled that ICCBS statutes must be approved by the KU Senate. He added that 5-6 cases involving ICCBS donors were currently pending before the court.