Punjab govt likely to probe Kinnaird College affairs

[Neo]

Punjab govt likely to probe Kinnaird College affairs

* Inquiry tribunal to look into alleged misuse of authority by KC principal, financial irregularities, appointment of first-ever registrar, sacking of teachers

By Anwer Hussain Sumra

LAHORE: The Punjab government is likely to conduct a regular inquiry into reported irregularities and the alleged misuse of authority by the Kinnaird College principal and her “aides”, according to sources.

The law allows the provincial administration to investigate in detail matters of public interest.

The sources told Daily Times that the Higher Education Department would submit a summary to the chief minister to set up an inquiry tribunal to for KC affairs. The tribunal would look into allegations levelled against KC Principal Dr Bernadette Louise and the first-ever registrar of the college – Naima Khursheed, whose appointment recently sparked protests within KC. The tribunal would also look into Naima’s role in the administration, the examination system, the principal’s alleged discriminatory attitude, the sacking of the teachers and repatriation of four senior teachers to the Punjab government.

On December 23, the principal sacked seven senior teachers – who were protesting against Naima’s appointment – over charges of misconduct without consulting the Punjab government.

The next day, the chief minister was briefed on the matter given a document – signed by 97 KC faculty members – alleging that the principal and the registrar had misused authority and were involved in financial irregularities. The document claimed that Naima was given charge of the admissions committee in violation of rules, and accused Dr Bernadette Louise and Naima – the principal’s “chief aide” – of financial irregularities in self-finance admissions. The faculty members alleged that Naima’s husband, a civil servant, visited the college to grant admission to students offering the highest sums.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Shairf referred the matter to the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department, and sought advice on the level of intervention the Punjab government is allowed in KC affairs. The Law Department then said that the Punjab government could look into any matter of public interest, and “the KC issue falls in the ambit of this authority”, according to the sources – who said the Punjab government would take stern action against those found guilty.