CJP concerned at IIU affairs, writes to President

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has expressed concerns over the maladministration of the International Islamic University.

He has suggested that the file related to the appointment of vice-president (administration) of the university be presented for consideration of board members at the upcoming meeting of the Board of Trustees.

In letters addressed to the president of Pakistan/Chancellor and others, the chief justice emphasised that the maladministration has adversely affected the university’s standards and international status in Islamic ethos.

Highlighting the lack of meetings, the CJP stated: “The university did not hold the stipulated minimum number of meetings, with the last meeting taking place almost three and a half years ago, on June 30, 2020.”

However, he acknowledged that the president of Pakistan, as the chancellor of the university, has called a meeting of the Board of Trustees for November 30, 2023 in response to his concerns.

Expressing a desire to improve the standards of universities he is affiliated with, the chief justice stated that he sought information about the International Islamic University in a letter dated September 22, 2023. Unfortunately, the requested information was not provided, even after a reminder sent on October 13, 2023.

The chief justice expressed concern about the non-disclosure of information, suggesting potential wrongdoing and a cover-up by Nabi Bux Jumani, the Vice-President (Administration), who was appointed in June 2020 for a three-month period. The chief justice noted that Jumani continues to hold office, seemingly in disobedience to judgments of the Islamabad High Court.

Considering the prevailing state of affairs at the university intolerable, the CJP emphasised that if the university is run at the behest of employees who refuse to provide information, and such disobedience is ignored, everyone involved becomes equally responsible for the university’s further deterioration.

The chief justice said that his letters dated September 22, 2023, and October 13, 2023, be included in the agenda for the forthcoming meeting of the Board of Trustees. Similarly, he urged that the university’s file related to Jumani’s appointment and service, along with the decisions of the Islamabad High Court, be made available for the consideration of board members.