MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Ehtesab Bureau has arrested three senior academic and administrative staff members from the University of Kotli on charges of abuse of power, forgery and nepotism.

The arrested individuals were Registrar Dr Mohammad Maroof, Assistant Professor of Economics Dr Mohammad Shabbir, and Accountant Amir Khalil.

According to a press release issued by the bureau late on Tuesday, Dr Shabbir secured his position as Assistant Professor of Economics in B-19 by tampering with records, as he did not possess the required academic qualifications at the time of his appointment.

Dr. Maroof, currently serving as Registrar, was appointed as Professor of Economics based on degrees purportedly obtained from abroad. However, he failed to obtain the mandatory equivalence certificate from the Higher Education Commission and misrepresented his experience during the appointment process.

Similarly, the appointment of Mr Khalil as Accountant violated the rules. Despite failing the test and interview, Dr Maroof, the Registrar, appointed him without re-advertising the post. The press release stated that further action would be taken against others directly or indirectly involved in these unlawful appointments.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024