Gomal VC challenges inquiry in PHC amid corruption probe

Dera Ismail Khan: Gomal University Vice Chancellor Dr. Zafar Iqbal, who was recently sent on compulsory leave to investigate corruption charges against him, has moved the Peshawar High Court seeking restoration to his position and suspension of the ongoing inquiry against him.

The move is seen by and large as a ploy to frustrate the process of accountability as the petition came right when the three-member inquiry committee constituted by the provincial government commenced its investigation into allegations of financial irregularities, nepotism, and controversial appointments and promotions at the university.

According to official documents seen by Minute Mirror, the committee, headed by Dera Ismail Khan Commissioner Abdul Wadood Khan, also includes the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar as a member and the Registrar of the University of Science and Technology Bannu as member/secretary. The committee visited Gomal University on Tuesday, examined official records, recorded statements from relevant officials, and heard Dr. Zafar Iqbal’s version of events.

Since the formation of the committee, a concerted campaign against the process of accountability has been going on over multiple social media accounts, TV channels and the platforms that are generally used to discredit the provincial government.

However, during the course of the proceedings, Dr. Zafar Iqbal filed a writ petition before the Peshawar High Court, requesting that his 90-day compulsory leave be set aside. The petition is also viewed as seeking to halt or affect the ongoing inquiry. A single bench of the Peshawar High Court is scheduled to hear the petition on Wednesday.

The inquiry was ordered following complaints alleging financial mismanagement, favoritism, and alleged irregularities in nearly 100 recruitments ranging from Grade 16 to Grade 21, as well as promotions of 127 employees. The matter also drew sustained attention on mainstream and social media, where university employees and faculty members staged protests over the alleged irregularities.

Earlier, four professors who reportedly benefited from the disputed selection board had also challenged Dr. Zafar Iqbal’s compulsory leave before the Peshawar High Court through separate writ petitions.

This is the latest in a series of investigations concerning the university. Previously, the Higher Education Department (HED) had constituted a two-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations related to the recovery of narcotics from university hostels, the shooting and injury of a student during a campus protest, and the recruitment of 117 employees.

According to official accounts, the HED inquiry committee reported that it was unable to access the relevant university records because they were not made available by the Vice Chancellor. The committee subsequently informed the department that an impartial investigation could not be conducted while the Vice Chancellor remained in office and recommended that he be placed on compulsory leave.

The issue was later raised in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly by PPP MPA Ahmad Kundi. The Assembly’s Standing Committee on Higher Education decided to examine the matter itself and, after hearing the parties concerned, endorsed the recommendation that the Vice Chancellor be sent on compulsory leave. Acting on the committee’s recommendation, the Chief Minister approved the leave and constituted the present three-member inquiry committee.

Prior to this, the Higher Education Department had also established another two-member inquiry committee headed by Dr. Usman Ghani to examine allegations of irregularities, nepotism, and corruption in the controversial selection board. However, Dr. Zafar Iqbal obtained a stay order from the Peshawar High Court, effectively halting the proceedings. Although the committee later submitted its report, it reportedly refrained from fixing responsibility or making recommendations.

Separately, the provincial Anti-Corruption Establishment initiated an inquiry following a written complaint by journalist Malik Naeem Jibran regarding alleged financial, administrative, and academic irregularities at Gomal University. Jibran has alleged that the inquiry was also rendered ineffective through the Vice Chancellor’s influence. He further claims that supporters of the then Registrar, Zahir Shah, attacked his office and attempted to kill him, adding that his complaint remains pending with the City Police Station. Inquiries into corruption charges against Zafar Iqbal remains inconclusive as he knows the art of frustrating the system.