Peshawar Agri varsity dismisses 252 illegal employees, demotes 318

PESHAWAR: University of Agriculture Peshawar has terminated the services of around 252 illegal employees while demoting 318 staff after the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. 

During the procession of employees, a PMLN candidate allegedly threatened to kill the Vice Chancellor and his family. He also threatened to ablaze the office of the VC. The video of the candidate has gone viral on social media. The government took strict notice of the matter. The Secretary of Higher Education informed the higher officials about the situation and sent a letter to give protection to the Vice-Chancellor and his family. According to the official sources of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, the case of illegal recruitment in the university was under hearing in the Supreme Court, but the employees lost their case. In light of the Supreme Court decision, the administration dismissed 252 illegal employees from their jobs, while 318 employees were demoted and sent back to their previous posts.

However, the employees started protesting against the dismissals on the premises of the University. Meanwhile, a candidate of the Muslim League-N reached the university with his armed men. While addressing the employees, he threatened to kill the Vice-Chancellor and his family. He further announced a deadline of Tuesday to attack and ablaze the office of the Vice Chancellor for non-instatement of the employees. In a viral video on social media, he threatened the Vice Chancellor and the administration with serious consequences and protests.

Bakht Jahan Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, immediately informed the Secretary of Education about the situation. The Secretary of Higher Education has written a letter to the Chief Secretary, IG, and other concerned authorities to take notice of the matter and give protection to the Vice Chancellor and his family.

Bakht Jahan Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, told this correspondent that the employees were recruited illegally and made permanent without following the rules. However, on January 28, the Supreme Court ruled against the illegal employees, due to which 252 employees were dismissed while 318 were demoted.

He said that the number of faculty in the university was 247 while the number of non-teaching employees was 847. The law describes the formula of one and a half employees for one faculty member, so the total number of employees should have been 370. He said that the university still has 225 employees surplus. He said that the monthly salary of terminated 252 employees is Rs 20 million per month and Rs 250 million annually.