Scandal-prone PU readmits IJT activist expelled in 2006

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Exam coordinator claims ICS director ‘tricked’ her into signing Ahmad Abu Bakar’s readmission papers
* Bakar dropped from ICS programme for cheating in 2006 exams

LAHORE: Seemingly, making headlines is the least of the Punjab University’s (PU) concerns, as the varsity has been hit by yet another scandal that has exposed its faculty members illegally promoting Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT) activists. A seven-member committee of the PU Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) has readmitted a former nazim of the IJT who was dropped from the programme in 2006.

By readmitting former IJT nazim Ahmad Abu Bakar to the ICS programme, the ICS committee blatantly violated the PU semester rules and went against the university calendar regulations, which state that “ In case of a valid reason, the period of the study will be extended for one additional year and the students who do not complete studies within the stated period shall be automatically dropped from the programme”.

Bakar’s readmission came as a shock to PU teachers and students, who said the decision was made by ‘bypassing’ concerned authorities. In violation of university rules, the ICS – through a planned committee – has allowed Bakar to rejoin the ICS programme in the 2010 session when he had dropped from the same programme during the 3rd semester of the 2007-08 session. Further, the IJT activist is pursuing a Masters degree at the PU Political Science Department at the same time. PU rules clearly state that no student can pursue two different courses in the same year.

Tricked: Dr Afirah Hamid – the ICS examination coordinator and one of those who approved Bakar’s readmission – accepted that the student had been readmitted in violation of university rules and alleged that the ICS director had ‘tricked her’ into signing Bakar’s readmission papers. She claimed that the former nazim’s name was not on the meeting agenda and she found out later that the papers signed by her and the committee members were Bakar’s readmission documents. Afirah said all three female members of the committee were against his readmission and had strongly protested against it. She claimed she had even gotten into an argument with the ICS director who said, “He had the authority to do anything he wanted”. However, ICS Director Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz claimed that all members of the committee discussed the issue and approved the admission of the former IJT nazim.

Cheating: Bakar was dropped during the 3rd semester in 2006 because he was found guilty of cheating during exams. He was supposed to join the programme the following year but he did not do so, citing medical reasons. A semester committee held on March 6, 2008 reviewed Bakar’s application, in which he requested that he be allowed to re-sit the examination. After a thorough analysis of the case, the committee decided to drop Bakar from the institute and cancelled his enrollment due to ‘non-serious attitude’ towards studies.

According to sources, after the decision, Bakar sued the university in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on June 26, 2009. Sources said the ICS administration was worried over the case, and therefore struck a verbal deal, allowing Bakar to rejoin the ICS programme in exchange of his withdrawing the case.

The ICS Examination Committee meeting that formally allowed Bakar to rejoin the programme was held on January 30, 2010 in the office of the ICS director. Naz was the committee chairman and other members included Dr Bushra Rehman, Dr Nosheen Saleem, Abida Ejaz, Shafique Ahmad Kamboh, Khalid Rashid and Muhammad Jamil. All the members signed Bakar’s readmission papers including Afirah, the convener of the previous committee meeting where the student was dropped from the institute.

Action: PU Public Relations Director Khawaja Tahir Jamil claimed he had no knowledge of the issue and was not a competent authority to comment on the matter. However, a PU official said the PU vice chancellor had taken notice of the issue and would soon take action. The official, requesting anonymity, said Bakar’s readmission might lead to hundreds of expelled students demanding the varsity to grant them the same ‘ illegal favour’ and readmit them to the university. adnan lodhi