PHC grants interim relief to AMC dean

ABBOTTABAD: The Peshawar High Court has granted interim relief to the Dean of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad by suspending his removal order issued by the chairman Board of Governors of Ayub Medical Teaching Institution (AMTI).

The court has also issued notices to the respondents, instructing them to appear before the court on January 17, 2024, and submit their comments.

Surprisingly, the chairman BoG issued another removal order before the high court’s decision, once again removing Dr Umer Farooq, citing different allegations including alleged fraudulent selection.

Dean Ayub Medical College Dr Umer Farooq, who also serves as the CEO of the institution, challenged the notification dated December 19, 2023, in which the chairman BoG MTI removed him from the position of dean until the conclusion of the inquiry proceedings.

Prof Dr Asif Kareem was appointed as the officiating dean. The letter stated that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated, and all financial, administrative, and legal powers were suspended.

The Peshawar High Court, in writ petition No 06-P of 2024, dated January 1, granted interim relief to the dean, suspending the impugned order and issuing notice to the other side for the next hearing. The petitioner’s counsel argued that one BoG member was replaced when the decision was taken against him, claiming that the impugned orders were mutually destructive.

Before giving him the charge as per the court’s orders, the chairman BoG MTI observed that a letter dated January 1, 2024, was sent to Dr Umer Farooq for his immediate removal due to alleged fraudulent selection.

The letter stated that he manipulated fake regulations, lowering the selection criteria, which was later restored, declaring his selection null and void. The BoG decision on December 16, 2023, suspended his financial and administrative powers and called upon him to explain his position regarding availing ex-Pakistan leave and traveling on a fake NOC, leading to his temporary removal pending the submission of his explanation and conclusion of the inquiry by BoG sub-committee.

Dr Umer Farooq was appointed dean of Ayub Medical College on April 12, 2019, for five years by the previous Board of Governors headed by Dr Asim Yousaf, and his tenure is set to complete in four months.