Kundi vows public university support

No administrative interference and VCs to get freedom

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that measures are being taken to address the financial difficulties facing public sector universities and improve their performance, announcing that unnecessary recruitment will be stopped while vice-chancellors will be given complete freedom in administrative matters.

Speaking at an Iqbal Day ceremony at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU), Peshawar, and later talking to the media, the governor said the province had 36 universities facing various financial challenges. Efforts were under way to resolve these issues, and universities would be run in accordance with the decisions and directives of their respective vice-chancellors.

He said relations between university administrations and the relevant authorities would be restored on the basis of mutual respect, trust and understanding. There would be no interference in the administrative affairs of vice-chancellors, he added.

Kundi said the prime minister had assured him of every possible support from the federal government, for which he was grateful. He said K-P would receive its rightful share in all federal development and public welfare initiatives.

The governor maintained that the provincial government's rights would be vigorously pursued at every relevant forum, including the National Finance Commission (NFC). Criticising the previous provincial government, he alleged that it had failed to effectively present and defend the province's case. He said the current efforts would focus on securing the province's due rights through cooperation with the federal government.

On the security situation, Kundi said a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted against terrorism. He stressed that the province's security policy would be formulated in consultation with the federal government in Islamabad rather than being dictated from Jalalabad or any other location.

Addressing the Iqbal Day ceremony, the governor said Allama Muhammad Iqbal had awakened among Muslims a sense of selfhood, dignity, intellectual freedom and a distinct national identity. He said the responsibility of turning Iqbal's vision into reality now rested with the younger generation.

Describing Iqbal as not merely a poet but also a great philosopher and visionary leader, Kundi said he had attached high expectations to young people. Iqbal's message, he added, centred on knowledge, character, self-confidence and continuous struggle.

He urged students to believe in their abilities, set ambitious goals and work consistently to achieve success.