Restraint sought over Edwardes College pension fund conversion

PESHAWAR: Faculty members and retired staff of Edwardes College Peshawar have voiced concerns over what they describe as “hasty and unilateral” steps by the acting principal to solicit pensioners’ options for pension fund conversion at a time when the college lacks a formal and regular governance structure.

In a letter addressed to the administration, the pensioners urged the acting principal to suspend the process until the regular principal assumes charge and the Board of Governors (BoG) and its committees resume functioning.

They argued that such financial and policy decisions could have serious and irreparable financial and legal implications in the absence of an operational governing structure.The letter, copies of which were shared with the chair of the BoG and other relevant authorities, stated that the governance and decision-making structure of Edwardes College is currently in abeyance-from the office of the principal to the chair of the BoG. It alleged that the acting principal was taking arbitrary steps in disregard of the college’s established rules and procedures.

Faculty and staff members also criticized the acting principal for forming a Board of Trustees under his chairmanship on October 29, 2025, and including faculty and staff representatives without their consent.

They argued that, according to institutional rules, an acting principal is authorized only to handle day-to-day affairs and cannot make major administrative, financial, or policy decisions.According to a detailed list of alleged irregularities submitted to the BoG, the acting principal is accused of a series of self-serving measures, including his own and the vice principal’s promotions, allocation of a non-practicing allowance of Rs40,000 per month, and use of official vehicles and campus residences for personal benefit without BoG approval.

The document also highlighted the subsidized utilities and fuel benefits granted to the vice principal, claiming that such arrangements lack any formal authorization.The complainants alleged that dissenting voices within the college have been punished through transfers, suspension of salaries, and issuance of warnings for questioning the acting principal’s actions.

They called for an independent inquiry to restore professionalism, transparency, and ethical governance at the institution, which they said has been undermined by rampant unprofessionalism and favoritism.

A number of pensioners expressed fears that the rushed pension fund conversion could affect their financial security.They requested that the decision be deferred until the BoG resumes oversight and the regular principal-already appointed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor-assumes charge.

However, confusion persists over the principal’s appointment, as he has not yet taken charge of his office, and the authority of chairmanship of the BoG has been shifted from the governor to the chief minister, though the change has not been formally notified.

When contacted for comments, Acting Principal Shujaat Ali Khan denied the allegations. He said, “This matter has been approved by the BoG, and an option has been given to pensioners whether they want to opt for the provident fund or remain in the pension policy. No one is being forced; they have a choice to do so.”He denied having committed any irregulaity or taken any self-serving decision