KOHAT: The posts of the vice chancellors of the University of Science and Technology, Kohat, and the University of Fata in the Darra Adamkhel tribal subdivision have been lying vacant for last seven months causing administrative and academic problems.

When contacted, Dr Tasleem Hussain, acting vice-chancellor and pro-chancellor of the Kohat varsity, told Dawn that new appointments of academic and other staff could not be made as the varsity’s syndicate was incomplete without a full-fledged vice-chancellor. He said he was just playing a role of a mediator between the departments.

He regretted delay in appointment of the VC by the Higher Education Commission. He said the post had been advertised and applications received by the appointing committee for interviews, but the process was postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

About the progress of the university, Dr Hussain said the varsity had received 10,000 intakes of online studies. Admissions and results have also been announced online, and the varsity has also passed a surplus budget for the first time in 2020, he added.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Asad, director finance of the Fata University, told Dawn that Dr Johar Ali had taken the charge of acting vice-chancellor in July. He said construction work on the varsity building was to be completed in November 2019, but had been delayed until January 2021. He said online classes and examinations were in progress.

To a question about the appointment of regular vice-chancellor he suggested to better ask the HEC in that regard.

FAKE NUMBER PLATES SEIZED: The Jarma police seized fake registrations and number plates of vehicles being smuggled to Quetta, at Muslimabad checkpost.

SHO Irfan Khan during snap checking stopped a car and, during its checking, found six fake number plates, three registration copies and other false records from one Rehmat Ealhi of Quetta. He was taking them to Quetta to bring non-custom paid vehicles, the police official said.

Meanwhile, DSP Sanobar Shah along with a team stopped a passenger coach and, upon checking, found 31 pistols, two repeaters, 60 chargers, and two kilogrammes of opium.

An alleged smuggler, Sahib Noor of Waziristan, was arrested.

Meanwhile, in a joint raid, the KDA and Jungle Khel police closed an old gambling den, arrested seven gamblers and seized stake money in Jungle Khel.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2020