Multan – The latest Syndicate meeting of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zubair Iqbal, became a heated battleground as attempts to impose increased faculty workload and revoke employee bonuses were met with strong opposition. While the house firmly rejected these controversial proposals, the meeting also addressed significant administrative and financial matters, resulting in key decisions that could reshape the institution’s governance.
In a decisive move, the Syndicate terminated Project Director Malik Rafiq Hummad over serious allegations of corruption, disciplinary misconduct, and criminal activities. His dismissal signals a stricter stance on financial irregularities within the university.
The Syndicate revisited the contentious 2012 case involving 20 admin officers allegedly recruited through favoritism and bribery by then-Registrar Sohaib Rashid Khan and the Vice-Chancellor. Instead of an immediate verdict, the house opted to grant another hearing, with a complete case record to be presented in the next meeting.
A landmark decision came in response to the BA/BSc 2019 examination scandal, where 326 failing students were illegally passed in exchange for bribes. The house approved forced retirements for key officials implicated in the fraud, including Deputy Registrar ORIC Allah Ditta Aamir, Assistant Controller (BA Branch) Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Assistant Controller (Computer Cell) Muhammad Amin, Assistant Controller (MA Branch) Muhammad Aslam, and BA Branch Assistant Rana Muhammad Aleem. This action underscores BZU’s commitment to academic integrity and anti-corruption measures.
In a move to enhance access to legal education, the Syndicate approved the establishment of LLB study centers in Vehari, Lodhran, and Multan, catering to the growing demand for professional law studies.
The meeting also greenlit the formation of a Directorate of HR and a Professional Development Center, aimed at improving staff management and skill enhancement for faculty and employees.
In a controversial ruling, the Syndicate rejected the appeal of a victim in a sexual harassment case from the Urdu Department, sparking concerns about institutional responses to gender-based misconduct. The decision could draw criticism over BZU’s handling of harassment complaints.
Several new department heads and directors were appointed, including Dr. Muhammad Babar, Dr. Muqarab Akbar, Dr. Amanullah, Dr. Tasman Pasha, Dr. Sibtain, Dr. Mureed Hussain, Dr. Safeena Naz, and Dr. Faqir Muhammad. A monitoring committee was also formed to assess their performance and report back to the Vice-Chancellor.
Key faculty transfers included Dr. Imdadullah from the School of Economics to Business & Finance and Dr. Tahir to the Mechanical Department. Additionally, the 2025 admission policy received official approval, setting the framework for the upcoming academic year.
The Rs. 6.69 billion university budget was approved with minor modifications, ensuring financial continuity despite earlier tensions over proposed austerity measures.
The house endorsed minutes from the previous Syndicate meeting and ratified Academic Council recommendations, solidifying earlier academic and administrative policies.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, Justice (R) Altaf Ibrahim Qureshi, MPA Syed Ali Haider Gillani, Prof. Dr. Amanullah Gujar, Dr. Asiya Zulfiqar, Dr. Usman Saleem, Dr. Sajid Tufail, Registrar/Secretary Ejaz Ahmed, Dr. Farhat Zafar, Additional Secretary HED Zahida Azhar, Deputy Secretary Finance Zeeshan Nadeem, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf (Rector, University of Lahore). A HEC representative also participated online, reflecting the broader oversight of higher education authorities in the proceedings.
The Syndicate meeting at BZU underscored the ongoing struggle between financial austerity measures and institutional integrity efforts. While attempts to increase faculty workload and cut employee bonuses failed, key decisions on corruption, academic fraud, and governance reforms were successfully pushed through. However, the dismissal of the sexual harassment appeal raises concerns about BZU’s commitment to gender equity and student safety. With accountability and controversy defining this session, the university’s future administrative direction remains under scrutiny.
report : Aamir Hussaini
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