LAHORE – Three mainstream groups of teachers at the University of the Punjab have boycotted the upcoming elections of the PU senate, the highest body of the university.
In this regard, more than 30 representatives of the Teachers Alliance, including current and former members of the syndicate, senate, and ASA, have written a letter to Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran.
The senate gives approval to draft statutes proposed by the syndicate. It also approves the annual report on academic activities, the annual statement of accounts and revised budget estimates, etc. According to the PU Act 1973, elections must be held every three years to elect 15 university teachers to this apex body.
During his eight-year tenure as the vice chancellor, Dr Mujahid held these elections only once in July 2012. The tenure of the previously elected teachers expired in July 2015 when Dr Mujahid was a regular vice chancellor, but he did not hold these elections.
Citing different sections of the PU Act 1973 and a couple of decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the teachers wrote that the vice chancellor may not act as a regular office holder and does not have a legal authority to conduct the elections. Since the PU registrar also not be appointed according to the PU Act 1973 and, therefore, does not have the legal authority to perform his election duties, they said.
“The process of the said elections may be stopped immediately. We, the teachers of the university, have further decided not to be part of this extremely illegal/unlawful activity. We further wish to be recorded that other legal/administrative remedies will be availed to ensure the smooth functioning of the university affairs,” according to the letter.
