Laptop distribution: PU told not to fund ceremony

Ahmad Bajwa submitted that PU VC had sanctioned Rs30 million.

LAHORE:

The Punjab University (PU) was barred on Thursday by the Lahore High Court from using varsity funds to organise a function where the chief minister is to distribute laptops.

Notices were issued to the Punjab government and the PU vice chancellor for April 12. Justice Umar Ata Bandial issued the orders on a plea filed by Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad, who has challenged the use of university funds for organising the event, scheduled for March 23 (today).

Petitioner’s counsel Aftab Ahmad Bajwa submitted that the PU VC had sanctioned Rs30 million, without getting approval of the syndicate, for the laptop distribution ceremony at the Quaid-i-Azam Campus.

He said that the VC was planning an elaborate event to please Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif. Bajwa said that the VC had chosen not to hold the function in a small hall because he wanted to express his gratitude to the chief minster for allowing him to continue as VC. He called the banners displayed at the university proof of the VC’s “malafide intentions”.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2012.