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ISLAMABAD: The inquiry into a stolen dissertation entitled ‘The State of Madina’ (Riyasat-e-Madina) for receiving the Presidential Award could not be completed despite the lapse of one year.
According to details, the dissertation was stolen from the office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and submitted for the Presidential Award 2020.
Like every year, in 2020, the Ministry of Religious Affairs invited the submission of a dissertation for the title of Riyasat-e-Madina to give Presidential Awards. In total, the papers of 36 researchers at the federal and provincial levels are considered eligible for the award.
The number of articles submitted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on this title was more than 100, among which the winners included Dr. Amir Taseen and Asia Ikram and received awards.
It was later revealed that the essays in the dissertation of Asia Ikram were identical word for word to Dr. Amir Taseen’s dissertation.
After which Executive Director and Member Board of Governors of International Islamic University Leading religious scholar and researcher Dr. Aamir Taseen wrote a letter to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and revealed that Asia Ikram has also been awarded the Presidential Award and Prize by presenting his dissertation’s copy.
Dr. Amir Taseen had written the letter on March 31 in the name of Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri and Secretary Religious Affairs requesting an inquiry of the issue.
Later, Secretary Religious Affairs Sardar Ijaz Ahmad Khan had directed Director General Mushahid Hussain to conduct an inquiry, however, Mushahid Hussain could not complete the inquiry despite the lapse of two months.
The Secretary expressed his deep regret and frustration over the Director General’s failure to respond properly and immediately ordered the four senior officers of the Ministry, including three Joint Secretaries and the Deputy Secretary, to complete the inquiry as soon as possible.
According to sources in the ministry, the committee has formulated some questions pertaining to the inquiry, which have also been forwarded to Asia Ikram and Dr Amir Taseen.
“The ministry has received a detailed reply from Dr Amir Taseen while Asiya Ikram has refused to accept the letter. The phone number that the ministry had earlier spoken to Asia Ikram is now permanently blocked,” sources added.
An interesting turning point, in this case, came when Prof. Dr. Salahuddin Sani, who was expelled from Karachi Ship Owners College, appeared active in defense of the Asia Ikram. Dr. Amir Taseen has been accused of plagiarism in Asia Ikram’s dissertation by Dr. Salahuddin. Salahuddin Sani in a statement also termed the claims of Dr Amir Taseen as false and based on slander.
Sources said that the statement of Dr. Salahuddin Sani is also being investigated on what basis he has made allegations against a reputable scholar Dr. Amir Taseen and what evidence do they have in this regard?
Several attempts were made to contact Salahuddin Sani but no call was received, sources added. According to the information provided by the inquiry committee so far, they did not find any evidence of submission of Asia Ikram’s dissertation nor could they get her CV, which suggests that the woman violated the rules and regulations.
“The dissertation had not been sent by post but had been submitted by a staff member of the office who is the facilitator of this woman in the ministry,” sources disclosed.
Head of the committee, Senior Joint Secretary Hajj Alamgir Ahmad Khan, when contacted by MM News, said that efforts were being made to contact Aasia Ikram.
Dr Amir Taseen has submitted his reply and the inquiry will probably be completed within a week, the Head of the committee said.
