PHC seeks financial record as KP universities face mounting financial pressures

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought detailed financial and administrative records of public-sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought detailed financial and administrative records of public-sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as it heard petitions concerning salary and pension payments, university finances, administrative appointments and the proposed sale of educational land.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice S.M. Attique Shah heard three interconnected petitions involving the University of Peshawar’s financial difficulties, the proposed sale of university land in Mardan and alleged irregularities concerning salaries and administrative appointments.

During the hearing, counsel for Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) technicians, Alam Khan Adinzai, told the court that around 300 technicians had not received salaries for 18 months. He submitted that the provincial cabinet had approved payment but the Finance Department had yet to release the funds.

The bench questioned the absence of the Finance Secretary and subsequently directed the Secretary Finance to appear in person at the next hearing along with the original summary file concerning the pending salaries.

The court then considered the financial position of public universities. Counsel for the University of Peshawar, Dr Johar Ali, informed the bench that the university was facing a shortfall of approximately Rs2.07 billion. He said the institution had around 25,000 students but was experiencing difficulties in meeting salary and pension obligations.

Counsel for UET Mardan also informed the court that out of an HEC share of Rs830 million, only Rs670 million had been released.

Officials from the Higher Education and Finance departments attributed part of the financial pressure to additional staff hired over the past decade and allowances being paid to more than 800 surplus employees. An HEC representative told the court that grants were released according to the federal funding received by the commission.

The bench also sought clarification regarding a claim that an Assistant Registrar was receiving a salary of Rs2 million and owned properties in several cities. The court directed the PHC Registrar and Higher Education Department to submit payroll records for Registrars, Treasurers and Controllers of Examinations at public universities for the past three years, along with asset declarations of administrative officers holding key positions.

The hearing also focused on the proposed sale of university land in Mardan. The court was informed that 4,888 kanals had been acquired between 2009 and 2012 for the Bacha Khan Greater Educational Complex. Due to subsequent litigation over compensation, the financial liability has reportedly increased to between Rs25 billion and Rs30 billion.

A government committee had proposed selling around 700 kanals of the complex to generate funds for meeting the liability. The petitioners challenged the proposed sale, arguing that the government could not dispose of land designated for educational purposes.

The bench extended an existing stay against the sale of the land. The court was also informed that the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in his capacity as Chancellor, had opposed the sale or lease of university land.

The court directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting involving the Finance, Higher Education, Law departments, HEC and vice chancellors and prepare university-wise financial recovery plans.

The bench also ordered the Higher Education Department to provide details of universities operating without permanent vice chancellors and administrative appointments requiring review.

The case was adjourned for two weeks, with the court expected to consider further measures concerning the financial condition and administration of public-sector universities in the province.