Staff Report

Karachi

A number of civil society organizations have demanded removal of Assistant Prof Muhammad Siddique of Department of Mathematics, Federal Urdu University of Science & Technology (FUUAST) from the administrative post of Registrar for harassing the females, and to take action against him under anti-harassment laws.

The demand was made during a press conference by National Trade Union Federation, Home Based Women Workers Federation, Women Democratic Front, Tehrik-e-Niswa and other organizations.

The civil society leaders said that allegations were levelled against female teachers recruited through the Selection Board. A two-member investigation committee comprising Director ORIC Prof Zareena Ali (convener) and Director QEC Dr. Shabbar Raza was formed to probe these allegations. The committee after reviewing all documents and evidences termed the allegations of Muhammad Siddique baseless and declared the female teachers innocent. It recommended that action should be taken against Muhammad Siddique under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules of the University Stealing Government Record, misleading administration and character assassination of the female teachers.

Later, in 2022, the permanent vice chancellor Dr. Athar Atta under office order formed a three-member probe committee comprising Prof Dr. Mahjabeen convenor, Dr. Abdul Majeed, and Saeedia Khaleeq to investigate the allegations levelled on the female teachers.

The committee unanimously, in the light of evidences and witness statements rejected the allegations of Muhammad Siddique as baseless and in its report on June 30, 2023 said that Muhammad Siddique lodged a false and fabricated report, which is violation of the Urdu University Ordinance and Section 9 of the Rules. It further said that as assistant professor Muhammad Siddique harmed the reputation of the university, obtained confidential record of the different departments, carried out character assassination of female teachers on social media, and workplace harassment, he should be made an OSD, and either demoted or sent on compulsory retirement. The committee recommended to start criminal action against Muhammad Siddique under 11 (5) (D) of the Urdu University Ordinance.

However, despite the recommendations of the above mentioned two committees no action was taken against Muhammad Siddique. On this the female teachers of the university lodged compliant and demanded to take action against him as per the recommendations of the committees.

“In the past, accused Muhammad Siddique used to visit houses of many female teachers and threatened their fathers or husbands. He would also share personal documents of the female teachers on social media to harass them. Now after getting the office of the Registrar, he is harassing the female teachers of many departments. In this regard, the chairperson of the department of mathematics has already lodged a complaint,” they said.

The civil society leaders said that more than 70 teachers have signed the demand to transfer the acting registrar FUUAST Muhammad Siddique for hatching conspiracy against the selection board and harassing the female teachers.

They appealed the President of Pakistan and Chancellor of FUUAST Dr. Arif Alvi and federal education minister Madad Ali Sindhi to remove Muhammad Siddique assistant professor department of Mathematics from the office of the Registrar and take legal action against him.

Those who spoke include Kashif Rifat, General Secretary Teachers Association, Asghar Dashti, teacher at FUUAST, Nuzhat Shirin of Sindh Commission on the Status of Women, Zehra Khan of Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF), Uzma Noorani of HRCP and WAF, Sara Khan, Advocate, Dr. Farhan Shafique of Member Senate Federal Urdu University, Sheema Kirmani of Tehrik-e-Niswa, Muhammad Ali Shahwani Advocate member managing committee Sindh High Court Bar Association, Ubedullah Malik Advocate High court organizer of Sindh Dost Lawyers Forum Karachi, Anita Pinjani Chairperson Sindh Vaas Foundation.

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From Correspondent

Khairpur, Sindh

Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur has assigned the additional charge of Registrar of the University to Prof. Dr. Minhoon Khan Laghari, Director Institute of Business Administration, SALU till the appointment of full time Registrar.

Dr. Laghari possesses vast academic, research and administrative experience. He is the pioneer of the Institute of Business Administration in term of its infrastructure, academic facilities, research and academic discipline.

Previously, Mureed Hussain Ibupoto held the additional charge of Registrar since August 2020.

Sources in the university said that teachers, officers’ association, employees’ association and students of the university in their protest rallies and sit-ins had been demanding the removal of the Registrar, however Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto didn’t pay heed to their protests because of having close relationship with the former Registrar.

According to sources Mureed Hussain Ibupoto exercised vast power and got posted and removed any official from the posts.

Sources however said that differences between the Vice Chancellor and Registrar developed over the appointment of the Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, Lecturers and Professors.

The teachers’ community of university was unhappy with the situation and wanted any officer posted as Registrar amongst them. In this regard they had exerted pressure on the Vice Chancellor to accept their demand.

Sources said that Vice Chancellor, before removing Mureed Hussain Ibupoto, had conveyed him a message that he is not happy with his performance and arrogant attitude towards teachers and officers, but Mureed Hussain in his reply told Vice Chancellor that he handled many issues and it’s not a solid reason for removing him from the post of Registrar.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Taj Muhammad Lashari,Director, Media & Public Relations Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur said that Mureed Hussain Ibupoto had additional charge of Registrar of SALU Khairpur who now has been directed to continue as Additional Controller Examination.

He said that Vice Chancellor has powers to assign the charge of Registrar to any official till the appointment of the regular Registrar by the Chancellor of the Universities. He dismissed the differences between the VC and former Registrar.

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