NA Standing Committee on Federal Education expresses concern over Islamia University Bahawalpur scam

Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The 43rd meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training was held at Parliament House Islamabad, with Makhdoom Syed Sami-ul-Hassan Gilani, MNA in the chair. The committee expressed serious concern over an unfortunate incident at Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) and has taken decisive The committee decided to summon the Regional Police Officer (RPO) of Bahawalpur and the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing. The summons are in response to a recent scam that took place at IUB.
During the meeting, the Deputy Registrar informed the committee that the Chief Security Officer of IUB had already been suspended and is currently in judicial remand. The committee has directed the university management to provide further details before the next meeting.
In addition, the Chairman of HEC informed the committee that a high-powered committee is being formed, comprising three Vice-Chancellors and officers from security agencies, to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The committee has also decided to conduct a special audit and performance evaluation of IUB in the near future.
Another matter discussed in the meeting was related to the presentation of a report on the last syndicate meeting of IUB by the Vice-Chancellor. The committee was informed that the DPO Bahawalpur was requested to lodge an FIR against Syed Ali Hassan Gillani. However, the DPO advised referring the case to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Punjab. The committee endorsed this viewpoint and directed the Deputy Registrar to forward the case to ACE Punjab, along with a report to HEC.
Furthermore, the committee addressed the issue of employees working under the wedlock policy. The Deputy DG FDE was directed to submit a report on the NOCs issued by them, along with the records of the employees.
The meeting also included a briefing by the Vice-Chancellor of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad, regarding the case of Mr. Akhtar Malik, Assistant Professor of Pak Studies. The university representatives clarified that there is no case on record against Mr. Akhtar Malik, and no promotions have been made by the university. The committee was provided with a five-year record and inquired about the criteria for promotion, to which the university representatives explained the internal selection board’s role in the hiring process. The university has its own Act and policy for regularization and promotion, with a total of 1020 appointments made from Grade 2 to 20.
Lastly, the committee discussed promotions in FDE, specifically from Assistant Director to Deputy Director, Section Officer Promotions. The Committee directed the Secretary to investigate the matter and submit a report at the next meeting.