Failing meritocracy

Dr Agha Ghazanfar was appointed by former Punjab governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar as principal of the Aitchison College on a four-year contract. However, he was given marching orders by the board of governors headed by the Punjab governor. Dr Agha Ghazanfar was especially called from England to fix an institution that was once the most prestigious and reputable teaching institution of the country.
Dr Agha’s only fault was that he tried to uphold merit and refused admission to scions of the high and mighty in the land because these students did not do well in the admission tests. In the past people like the late Abdul Ali Khan also refused admission to anyone who did not fulfil merit. In one instance he even refused the governor of Punjab, the Nawab of Kalabagh. But the Nawab was a man of great character. Instead of throwing out Ali Khan he appreciated his moral courage. The treatment meted out to Dr Agha indicates how mafias are hell-bent on destroying our institutions and how merit is no consideration to them. This is how all our institutions are being weakened and destroyed. This particular incident, though comparatively unimportant, is a trendsetter and food for thought for our leaders. Dr Agha Ghazanfar should not be penalised for doing what he had undertaken to do – merit-based admissions.
Zaheer Ahmed
Islamabad
*****
Recently, Dr Agha Ghazanfar was removed as principal of the Aitchison College – because he believes in merit. He refused admission to grandsons of men in power because the boys had all failed in their entrance examinations.
He also unearthed some dubious going-on in the A Level examination system in the college. This institution has been reduced to mere school – both in educational standards and sports. Our PM and the Punjab CM, considered to be great believers in a merit-based system, are quiet on this matter. Why?
Asad A Khan
London
UK