BAHAWALPUR: The Lahore High Court (LHC) while admitting for regular hearing the writ petition of Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan (who was not appointed as Islamia University Bahawalpur vice chancellor) has issued notices to all the four respondents for Jan 13.

In his writ petition (a copy of which is available with Dawn), Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan contended that after his interview for the VC slot on Aug 17, 2024, by the search committee headed by the former federal secretary, he was placed at the top of merit in the panel of three candidates out of more than 200 applicants for IUB.

He said having secured the highest score on the merit list sent by the search committee to the chancellor/Punjab governor, the petitioner was selected for an interview by the chief minister on Sept 2.

The petitioner said it was utter surprise for him that after interview by the CM, the final notification of the IUB faced a considerable delay for unknown reasons and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology Multan Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran was given the additional charge of IUB VC for a period of four months.

He claimed that his rejection and Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran’s notification were illegal, without jurisdiction and without lawful authority and the same was liable to be set aside.

The petitioner prayed that he may be notified as IUB VC and the impugned notification dated Oct 16 of Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran may be set aside.

The petitioner in his petition has named the Punjab province through HED secretary, chancellor/governor, Punjab Higher Education Commission and IUB as four respondents and LHC judge Justice Shahid Karim has issued them notices for Jan 13.

Meanwhile, Dawn learnt that the Punjab Higher Education Department has invited new applications till Dec 26 to fill the post of IUB VC.

JEEP RALLY: Elaborate arrangements will be made for the 20th Cholistan desert rally in February next amid foolproof security measures and with a substantial increase in prize money for the winners.

This was stated by Bahawalpur Divisional Commissioner Nadir Chattha at a conference here on Thursday.

The conference was participated in by a large number of stakeholders, MPA Khalid Mahmood Jajja, Cholistan Development Authority (CDA) Managing Director Syed Tariq Mahmood Bokhari, Punjab Tourism Development Corporation General Manager Nauman Khan, Bahawalpur Deputy Commissioner Dr Farhan Farooque, Houbara International Foundation Project Director retired Maj Muhammad Tahir and the regional and divisional heads of the related government departments.

In his address, the divisional commissioner stressed the need for the repair and restoration of jeep rally track, a comprehensive traffic management and security plan, setting up of a temporary tent village for the convenience of the visitors and tourists from home and abroad and a food street for them.

On the occasion, Nadir Chattha said a number of sports events like camel and horse dances and cultural functions would also be organised for the enjoyment of the spectators.

The Derawar Fort near the jeep rally venue would be tastefully decorated with illumination during rally days starting on Feb 4.

He directed the officials to finalise all arrangements before time with particular facilities to the participating drivers and vehicle owners in Cholistan.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2024