FAISALABAD: The Lahore High Court has ordered an investigation into 228 appointments at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), covering positions from Grade 1 to Grade 22.
Justice Khalid Ishaq issued the order while hearing petitions filed by Professor Ehsan Qadir Bhaba and others. The petitioners were represented by Advocate Supreme Court Zohaib Imran Sheikh and other lawyers.
The court directed the university’s Syndicate to conduct a comprehensive review of the appointments, including the legality, merit and transparency of the recruitment process. All 228 employees and professors must also be given an opportunity to present their cases during the inquiry.
Petitioners’ allegations
During the proceedings, lawyer Zohaib Imran Sheikh alleged that 228 people, ranging from lower-grade employees to professors, had been appointed through unlawful procedures.
According to the petitioners, former UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan issued appointment notifications late at night on the day of his retirement.
The lawyer further told the court that the Governor of Punjab, in his capacity as Chancellor, had previously directed the university’s Syndicate to investigate the alleged irregularities. The petitioners claimed that the affected employees subsequently created obstacles to the inquiry.
The petitioners also argued that some of those appointed were relying on court orders to avoid further proceedings and maintained that public-sector appointments must comply with applicable legal, merit-based and transparent procedures.
Court orders comprehensive inquiry
After hearing arguments from the parties, the Lahore High Court ordered the University of Agriculture Faisalabad Syndicate to investigate all 228 appointments.
The inquiry will examine the legal status of the appointments as well as whether the recruitment process met the required standards of merit and transparency. The court also directed that every individual affected by the inquiry be given an opportunity to be heard.