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Aitchison College’s Principal, Michael A. Thomson, tendered his resignation on Monday, citing protest against alleged political pressure. This pressure arose following Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman’s directive to waive the fees for the sons of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment, Ahad Cheema.
In his resignation, Thomson attributed his decision to conflict with Governor Punjab Baleegh-ur-Rehman, highlighting constant pressure for fee waivers for the children of Federal Minister Ahad Cheema.
According to senior journalist Kamran Khan, the Governor coerced the Principal into extending leave and waiving fees for Ahad Cheema’s children.
In another significant development, Syed Babar Ali, one of Pakistan’s most respected business leaders, resigned as a senior member of the Aitchison College Board of Governors. In his resignation, Babar Ali praised Principal Thomson as the finest in the institution’s 90-year history.
Expressing grief and disappointment over ongoing political pressure and governance issues, Babar Ali emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in decision-making processes within the institution.
Social media platforms are now filled with condemnation and criticism of the provincial government, which falls under the rule of PMLN, with Maryam Nawaz serving as the Chief Minister.
Who is Ahad Cheema?
Ahad Cheema is a retired Pakistani bureaucrat who currently holds the position of Federal Minister of Economic Affairs, appointed on March 11, 2024. He has previously held roles such as CEO of the Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Company and Director-General of the Lahore Development Authority. Cheema gained recognition for his role in overseeing the Lahore Metro Bus System project during his tenure as Director-General of the LDA. However, he faced controversy and was removed from the caretaker cabinet following a petition filed against him, approved by the President of Pakistan in December 2023.
