ISLAMABAD: Vice President of International Islamic University Professor Dr Ahmed Shuja Syed has been appointed as temporary President of International Islamic University Islamabad.

The IIUI notified Dr Shuja’s appointment as President on Thursday. The notification said that in pursuance of education ministry’s letter and judgment of Supreme Court of Pakistan dated 24-10-2024, “wherein the Apex Court has declared that Dr Mohammad Sarwar’s appointment as the President of the University notified…dated 15-7-2024 is of no legal effect. Since the position of President is vacant, therefore appointment thereto be made in accordance with [IIUI] Ordinance, after framing the rules with the help of HEC through IIUI’s BOG in very rigorous and transparent manners as was decided by university board of trustee in its meeting held on June 2020. Till the appointment of President, the most senior vice-President of the university should be appointed as President,” read the notification.

It stated that in implementation, thereof, Professor Dr Ahmed Shuja Syed, Vice President (Research & Enterprise) “herby hold the charge of the President, IIUI with immediate effect till appointment of the [regular] President,” read the notification. Earlier in July Saudi national Dr Hathal Homoud Alotaibi completed four year term. Subsequently, the university administration through illegal orders, appointed Prof Dr Mohammad Sarwar (Vice President Administration and Finance) to perform duties of President IIUI, with effect from July 17, 2024 till further orders.

According to the IIUI Ordinance, only vice president appointed by BoG of the university can be given the charge of the acting president. But, university administration without getting approval first made contractual dean Dr Sarwar as Vice President and then after one week he was given charge of acting President. However, recently, Supreme Court of Pakistan after terming his appointment illegal removed him and orders for new appointment. Similarly, Dr Samina Malik was also removed from her post by Supreme Court ordering that HEC Chairman and any members of commission should be appointed as acting Rector till the appointment of regular one. The acting rector is not appointed yet.

Sources in IIUI said that once again there are certain chances that Saudi educationist would be appointed as President IIUI like appointment of Dr Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, who completed four-year term in July this year. However, sources said that the new rules as directed by Board of Trustee of the university in 2020 would be framed for appointment of President IIUI through competitive process for next time and this year Saudi educationist would be appointed for four year term without competitive process.

Meanwhile, the IIUI saw clash between two students groups on Thursday and students kept the university gates closed, causing great inconvenience to stuidents particularly female. Till the filing of this report, the gates of the university were closed. The fight took place between two students wing. “We are trying to get the strike ended,” said an officer of IIUI.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024