Defending the law: Universities’ association to help defend the act

Sindh University VC files petition challenging it.

HYDERABAD:

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) has announced to become a party in a petition challenging the recently enacted Sindh Universities (Amendment) Act 2013.

The decision was taken in a meeting at Sindh University Teachers Association’s (Suta) office in Jamshoro on Thursday. Suta, besides Fapuasa, will also file a request in court to become a party.

The petition has been filed by Sindh University’s vice-chancellor Nazir Mughal who is seeking a two-year extension on his post after having completed his second tenure. However, the universities act prevents anyone from holding office for a third term.

“Since Mughal’s petition has challenged the law which applies to all universities in the province, FAPUASA has decided to become a party to the case to defend the act,” said Fapuasa general secretary Dr Ahsan Memon.



Mughal’s second tenure expired on January 8. However, he has claimed in his petition, filed at Sindh High Court Hyderabad circuit bench, that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad gave him a two-year extension in August of last year. The court will hear the case on January 16.

Suta president Dr Azhar Ali Shah asked the Sindh government to assert its authority over higher education institutions and to end the involvement of Governor House in the universities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2014.