FAISALABAD: Former vice chancellor (VC) of the Government College University, Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, refused to grant leave to Dr Farhat Abbas, accused of committing misappropriation in a Rs162 million project, however, the successor, Dr Nasir Ameen, who served as the acting VC and also co-accused in the case, approved his leave.

In three inquiries, Dr Amin and Dr Abbas were declared guilty of violating rules in the project in 2014 but no action was taken against them.

Dr Amin relinquished the charge on Wednesday as Dr Shahid Kamal has been appointed the regular VC for four years.

Despite expiry of his 21 leaves -- from Feb 23 to March 15 -- Dr Abbas is still absent from his duty. He had applied for ex-Pakistan leave for his treatment in Canada.

Dr Shah told Dawn he mentioned on the leave application of Dr Abbas that it would not be granted till the finalisation of the inquiry. However, Dr Abbas managed to get leaves and proceeded abroad.

He said the procurement of lab equipments had been completed before his joining of the university and at the time Dr Zakir Hussain was the VC. Dr Amin approved the leaves of Dr Abbas and when it expired he had asked Dr Abbas to join his duty, however, still Dr Abbas is absent from his duty.

A public notice was press in the national press on May 23 last that “.... on your request ex-Pakistan leave was granted in your favour on humanitarian grounds due to some medical problems by the vice chancellor on 22 February last with commitment that you will join the duty after availing the said leave for a period of 21 days.

“But, you have sent email on March 15 last for extension in leave for further period of 90 days which was replied by the registrar on March 20 whereby you have been communicated the advice of the VC to return to Pakistan and join your duty as per your commitment made with the VC. Moreover, you were apprised that your case will be forwarded to the medical board so that your extension in leave case will be preceded accordingly.

“But you didn’t turn up and forwarded another email on March 25, wherein, you have quoted Leave Rules but you have ignored the clauses of the GCUF Service Statues 2003.

“And you are again advised to join duties and appear before the medical board but you again failed to comply with the direction of the competent authority.

“You are, therefore, advised through this public notice to join the duties forthwith and appear before the medical board for finalisation of your request of extension in leave on medical grounds, failing which necessary action will be taken under the Peeda Act 2006 for willful absenteesm from duty against you.”

When the public notice did not work, the university administration issued another order on May 31 titled “Ex-Pakistan leave extension application” by registrar Ghulam Ghous. The notice asks Dr Abbas to join duty without further delay.

Dr Amin did not comment, when he was contacted.

A spokesperson for the university said during inquiries Dr Abbas was never restricted by the inquirers for traveling abroad. As a precedent, important to quote that Dr Abbas was granted ex-Pakistan leave by the then VC Dr Muhammad Ali to proceed for Canada from Sept 12, 2017, to Sept 29, 2017.

He said Dr Abbas was again granted ex-Pakistan leave by the then VC to proceed for Canada from March 10, 2018, to April 15, 2018. This time he was given a leave for 21 days on medical grounds.

University is not giving him any type of benefits after his undue disconnection from the office.

There were never any intentions to give him any type of relaxation.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2019