Probe order was issued on July 29 on a complaint lodged by SALU Prof. Dr. Aslam Korai. SALU Spokesman rejects allegations.
From Our Correspondent
KHAIRPUR, SINDH
Amidst controversy sparked over some recent appointments of professors at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU) Khairpur, allegedly made in violation of HEC rules and regulations, Sindh Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, has ordered Secretary Universities and Boards to probe the matter.
The Chief Minister issued such orders taking a notice of a complaint registered by Dr. Mohammad Aslam S/O Ashique Ali Korai, who had alleged the SALU authorities have made direct appointments in BPS-19, 20 and 21 on the basis of Favoritism, Nepotism and in violating University Act and HEC Rules for appointment criteria.
The Chief Minister issued directives for probe in a letter dated July 29, 2022 addressed to the Secretary, Universities and Boards, Sindh.
Dr. Mohammad Aslam Korai had in his application to the chief Minister had drawn his attention that reportedly Shahid Hussain (JST) S/O Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ali Jakhrani, Director, Institute of Chemistry, Azra Ansari W/O Sikandar Ali Janwari, Assistant Registrar, as Assistant Professor (BPS-19) without having Ph.D., in the Institute of Chemistry and other candidates in Zoology Department in BPS-20 and BPS-21 have been appointed who do not meet HEC requirement of publications, teaching experience etc.
Dr. Mohammad Aslam Korai Ph.D. Inorganic from SALU, in his complaint mentioned that Registrar of Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur advertised the posts of Professors BPS-21, Associate Professor BPS-20, Assistant Professors BPS-19 and Lecturers BPS-18 in March 2021. The Selection Board was scheduled to meet on July 2, 3 and 4, but surprisingly no interview calls were given to any candidate.
He pointed out that astonishingly two experts from the Inorganic Chemistry were called but one of expert Dr. Abdul Qayoom Jakhrani Associate Professor in QUEST was from Engineering University and was PhD in Environmental Engineering which was neither subject of Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. Second expert Prof. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza Mastoi in physical Chemistry was called. Selection Board did not observe codal procedure and 8 experts were not called in violation of SALU, Khairpur code.
He also alleged that Dr. Aneela D/o Mureed Hussain Ibupoto Registrar of Shah Ahah Abdul Latif University Khairpur appeared for Organic Chemistry while Director Chemistry Dr. Mushtaque Ali Jakhrani, who is very close to VC, had supported Dr. Aneela who is relative of VC. According to complainant, Dr. Aneela has been appointed as Assistant Professor in Organic Chemistry.
Further, one Atta Hussain Rind, who is not PhD nor has university level teaching experience, and was JST in education department, and simultaneously working as Research Associate since this semester – doing two jobs, was shown eligible in working paper of Selection Board; Khalid Hussain Bhutto who is not PhD nor has university level teaching experience and is doing teaching in a private school was shown eligible in working paper of selection board, as he is student of Dr. Mushtaque Jakhrani; Aijaz Hussain Memon has no PhD nor university level teaching experience, teaching in IBA Community College as lecturer since a year, was also shown eligible in working paper of selection board as he is student of Dr. Mushtaque Jakhrani, Director Institute of Chemistry department Shah Abdul Latif University KHairpur. Dr. Mushtaque Jakhrani’s son Shahid Hussain Jakhrani, who is MPhil and JST in Education department, working as Research Associate since this semester – doing two jobs simultaneously, was shown eligible in the Selection Board of Zoology department. Moreover, Azra Parveen Ansari W/O Sikandar Ali Janwari, Assistant Registrar working as teaching assistant since two semesters was shown eligible in Organic Chemistry by Selection Board as reciprocal favor to Director Chemistry.
Surprisingly, Shazia Solangi, MPhil, Vice Chancellor’s Personal Assistant (PA) was also declared eligible for the post of Assistant Professor.
The complainant pointed out that the Registrar of SALU is going to place the recommendations of selection board in the Syndicate without completing codal procedure fulfilling the requirements.
Dr. Aslam in his complaint had demanded the authority may investigate the appointments of Assistant Professors (BPS-19), Associate Professor (BPS-20) and Professor (BPS-21), restrain Selection Board recommendation approval in Syndicate till the complete investigation, and also restrain appointment of one hundred Lecturers BPS-18 till this investigation of irregularities is over.
However, Prof. Dr. Taj Muhammad Lashari, Media Coordinator, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur in a statement rejected the allegations of the nepotism and Favoritism.
He said that minutes of the selection board still were not published, and will placed in the forthcoming meeting of the Syndicate of the University expected to held after Ashura to endorse the decision of the Selection board regarding fresh appointments as well as promotions. He said that Selection Board was held according to law, attended by the experts who examined the length of the services, experiences, degrees of PHD and other required documents.
He said that process of the fresh appointments and promotions was held in transparent way and on merit, and no any violation of the HEC Rules as well as University Code has been breached by Selection Board.
Meanwhile, Professor Akhtiar Ghumro, President Shah Abdul Latif University Teachers Association (SALUTA) urged upon University Administration to clear its position because if any incompetent person without required qualifications and experience, is appointed it will destroy the education of students.
He said that until the Syndicate meeting approves the selection board recommendations, nothing can be said with certainty in this regard.
He did not confirm about the CM’s inquiry Letter, however said that only Social Media has circulated such letter.
__________________
