ICS scam whistleblower alleges harassment

Dr Afirah Hamid is harassed by ICS director Dr Akhtar Naz and other senior colleagues for highlighting irregularities.

LAHORE: Punjab University’s (PU) Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) teacher Dr Afirah Hamid on Thursday submitted an application with the PU vice chancellor (VC) alleging that she is being harassed by ICS director Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz and other senior colleagues for highlighting irregularities in the examination and admissions process of MPhil and PhD programmes.

Dr Hamid in her application, a copy of which is available to The Express Tribune, demanded that the inquiry report be made public and its recommendations implemented.

She wrote that her position “has become very embarrassing due to the delay of this inquiry report.” Dr Hamid said, “The ICS director is already pressuring me psychologically in his own negative ways.

I would like to remind you that I am senior lady faulty member who dared to speak the truth about the sabotage of the admissions and exam system of higher education studies like M Phil and PhD.”

“I am facing harsh and bitter statements from my colleagues,” she added. Dr Hamid asked the VC to fulfill his responsibility and implement the inquiry report’s recommendation.

She said lack of appropriate action threatened to undermine the credibility of the ICS’s MPhil and PhD programmes. She added, “The insincerity of some of our colleagues should be exposed to safeguard the reputation, students and future of this prestigious institution.”

Dr Hamid told The Express Tribune said that she had asked the VC to let her retire but the VC had refused and asked her to continue. “It is very difficult for a woman to raise her voice,” she added.Dr Naz denied harassing Dr Hamid. He said, “I spoke with her in her room for an hour in front of a colleague. If talking is harassment then I will not even greet her.”

Dr Naz also denied any misconduct on his part with regard to alleged tampering of results. He said that he had been in Germany at the time of the alleged tampering. He said “Punjab government should appoint some High Court judge to hold an inquiry.”

He also said that Dr Hamid had done her PhD in Urdu and should be transferred to the Urdu Department. “The VC should transfer her to the Urdu Department and put an end to this …,” he added.

Dr Hamid had complained to the VC about the tampering of M Phil and PhD results by the Behavioural and Social Sciences dean Dr Mugheesuddin Shaikh and Dr Naz.

The VC appointed Dr Ross Masood, a senior faculty member, to inquire into the allegations. Dr Masood’s report said that Dr Shaikh and Dr Naz had tampered with the results, held special illegal exams and recommended that they be dismissed immediately.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2010.