PESHAWAR: The Higher Education Department (HED), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sought an explanation from the Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iftikhar Ahmad for opposing and politicising the decision of the provincial cabinet regarding conversion/upgradation of the faculty of agriculture into a full-fledged university and sending a letter directly to the prime minister by-passing the chancellor of public sector universities against the laid down procedure.
“You are directed to explain your position within seven days of receipt of this letter as to why disciplinary action under relevant rules should not be taken against you,” the HED letter addressed to Dr Iftikhar Ahmad stated.
The letter pointed out that the vice-chancellor’s act was against the laid down procedure of official correspondence, while at the same time opposing and politicizing the decision of the provincial government.
Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, who earlier served as vice-chancellor of a public sector university in Abbottabad, is already facing allegations of fabrication and submission of fake experience certificates. This new development may land him in hot waters, sources said.
Official sources told The News that the issue was several years old when the provincial government in consultation with the Syndicate and Academic Council of Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan made a decision about conversion/upgradation of the faculty of agriculture of the university into a full-fledged university. “For the purpose, an asset distribution committee was formed which decided that Gomal University would give 1000-kanals of land, faculty and other necessary assets to the new university,” the sources added.
In March 2020, vice-chancellors for eight public sector universities in the province were appointed. They included Dr Iftikhar Ahmad as vice-chancellor Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan and Prof Dr Mansoor Ellahi Babar of the Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore as vice-chancellor of the newly established University of Agriculture, Dera Ismail Khan.
Dr Iftikhar Ahmad allegedly refused to give land, faculty and other assets to the new university making it difficult for it to make a successful start. “Due to the refusal of the Gomal University administration to transfer land, faculty and assets to the new university, serious problems were faced. The vice-chancellor of the university has not taken even his salary so far,” an official told The News.
The provincial government took notice of the issue and the cabinet in its meeting held on March 16 asked the university administration to transfer land/infrastructure, faculty and other required assets to the new university.
Dr Iftikhar felt aggrieved by the provincial cabinet’s decision and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan asking him to intervene in the matter.
The News got a copy of the vice-chancellor’s letter which states: “Being a humble academician and vice-chancellor of Gomal University, I am not against the creation of any university in the country as per need-based assessment. However, the division of Peshawar University into multiple universities was not an appropriate and suitable decision and is regretted by the education circles. The decision of the cabinet on March 16, 2021 of the upgradation of the faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University to an independent agriculture University, DI Khan is repeating the history of the division of Peshawar University.”
The sources said that the Higher Education Department, KP served a notice seeking explanation from the vice-chancellor and it now depended on Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shah Farman, who is chancellor of public sector universities, as to what action is taken against him.
About the other allegation of experience certificate against Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, the official said that the issue was taken up by the vice-chancellor of Malakand University by constituting a probe committee. “But when he came to know that he was not authorized to conduct an inquiry against a sitting vice-chancellor, the matter was placed before the syndicate, which sent its recommendations to the governor/chancellor. The syndicate’s recommendations have been placed before the governor and a final decision is yet to be taken,” explained the official on condition of anonymity.
