Karachi: Court proceedings have been initiated against officers aged over 60 years who were receiving salary, pension and other benefits at the same time. Heads of Universities and Boards failed to provide lists of senior officers to the Universities and Boards Department till March 29.
Letter No. / U & B / MICS-1 / 2022SO (A) issued by the Department of Universities and Boards to the Heads of Universities and Boards on 24th March, reiterated that a similar letter was also issued by the Department on 11th of March in which a list of officers over 60 years of age working after retirement in universities and boards was sought.
Despite the letter issued by Section Officer (Admin) Ali Faraz, the lists have not been released by some institutions yet. The list comprising three officers including two senior chairmen working under the acting VC of the Karachi University has been forwarded.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chaudhry, Acting Director, Hussain Ibrahim Jamal (HEJ) Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr. Panjwani Centre, Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, Karachi University, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Director, Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBJE) And Saleem Memon, the director of the Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai Chair, has been appointed to key posts in blatant violation of the apex court order after his retirement, due to which other qualified officers of the same centers are being severely deprived.
It should be noted that under the decision of the Supreme Court, the appointment of officers receiving pension and salary at the same time after the age of 60 years and retirement is prohibited.
Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai Chair Director Saleem Memon, 68 years old, Iqbal Chaudhry, 63, Abid Azhar aged67 years old have been appointed to key positions for the second and third time while surprisingly former Vice Chancellor Dr. Khalid Iraqi appointed Iqbal Chaudhry as acting director for the third time.
Among them is Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry Hussain Ibrahim Jamal (HEJ) who is carrying out the affairs “for the sake of Allah” without receiving any salary as he is currently holding the post of Director / Coordinator General of Islamabad COMSTECH.
However, the simultaneous performance of affairs in Karachi HEJ and Islamabad COMSTECH in two different locations / cities is also a question mark. The question is also being asked by various quarters as to why Prof. Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry, who has been performing important educational services for 60 years, should not be given time for his personal life after retirement and why any other qualified professor is not being appointed?
On the other hand, Dr. Bhai Khan Sher, Acting Vice Chancellor of Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro Arts and Design Heritage University, is also a member of the club of retired but key people.
Bhai Khan Shar was appointed on deputation from the Architecture Department of Mehran University, Jamshoro to the Federal College for Art and Design, after which he changed his cadre and transferred his services from teaching to administration while declaring himself a permanent employee. During this time he also continued to receive PhD allowance in the field of teaching faculty.
Bhai Khan Shar retired on April 24, 2020, while on April 20, 2020, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reappointed him as the director, after which the same college was given university status in July 2020.
Later on September 8, 2020, Bhai Khan Shar was appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor of this university, after which Bhai Khan Shar has set a unique example by receiving pension and salary from the same institution.
Other members of the club of retired but key officers are Agha Zafarullah, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, Mehran University, SZABIST Campus, Khairpur, Abdul Ghani Pathan, Professor, Department of Mining, Mechanical Department, SZABIST Campus, Khairpur. Prof. Hussain Ali Khan Durrani, Prof. Lal Chand of BSRA SZABIST Campus Khairpur and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yaqub Soomro of SZABIST Campus Khairpur Department of Petroleum and Gas.
The Director General of Audit Sindh has been raising objections against the said professors for three years now.
In addition to this, the records coming from various institutions have made shocking revelations. However, this step has been taken by the Department of Universities and Boards on the order of Sindh High Court in which the Sindh High Court has appointed Prof. Dr. Ahmad Qadri and Dr. Monis Ahmar’s constitutional petition raised objections to the reappointment of retired officers.