KUTS condemns NAB’s handling of inquiry against VC

Karachi

Karachi University Teachers’ Society (KUTS) President Dr Shakeel Farooqi on Friday expressed disappointment over the way National Accountability Bureau (NAB) handled complaints of corruption it received.

The statement was made in reference to a news item published in mainstream newspapers against the vice chancellor of the University of Karachi (KU) on the NAB’s orders.

The article calling for verifications of allegations levelled against the varsity’s VC, was according to Farooqi, not the correct way of going about inquiries but instead paved way for the media to speculate openly.

He opined that premature disclosure of allegations would not only provide space to the actual culprits in covering up their acts but would also set a stage for media trial.

The teachers’ representative further said that the varsity would welcome investigations over any matter but humiliating its VC or any other teacher would not be tolerated.

Dr Farooqi also condemned the way former vice chancellor of the Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, said to be a scholar of great repute was arrested by the NAB authorities.

Reiterating the association’s stance, he vowed that none of the KU’s teachers would allow for anyone to tarnish the university’s reputation in such a manner. “It is true that the University is facing a financial deficit, while nepotism and violation of financial discipline were rampant at the campus, but that does not mean that the VC would take the beating for everything bad that happens at the university.”

Dr Farooqi further exclaimed that the 18th amendment had placed the universities between the devil and the deep blue sea, “while both the chancellor and the chief minister keep dishing out instructions which had affected the day to day affairs of the university.”

Condemning political appointments in the university, he said hiring officers from the chancellor’s secretariat or on the recommendation of the CM House would serve no purpose other than intimidate and influence university administration.

He urged the VC to resist any political influence which could potentially hinder the progress of the university.

Reposing his trust in the varsity’s already functioning accountability and audit system, Dr Farooqi said the system had so far turned out to be efficient enough.

As for the media was concerned, he requested them to identify malpractices but refrain from maligning the university.