LAHORE: The Punjab University Syndicate in its 1712th meeting held on Tuesday discussed 20 out of 27 agenda items as four of its members had to leave to attend to other engagements.

Presided over by PU ViceChancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran, the Syndicate decided to discuss the remaining agenda items in the next meeting which would be called soon.

The meeting approved all the recommendations of the Finance and Planning Committee and the Academic Council besides annual increments, efficiency-based increments and honorarium for teachers on Tenure Track System.

On the demand of the PUAcademic Staff Association, the Syndicate decided toincrease honorarium of hostel wardens and superintendents by 20pc.

On the directions of the Lahore High Court, the Syndicate accorded the opportunity of personal hearing to dismissed teacher of Department of Geography, Dr Farooq Ahmed, and University Law College lecturer Dr Naveed Ahmed.

Inhispersonalhearing,University Law College lecturer Dr Naveed Ahmed said he was a PhD degree holder but the Selection Board did not promote him rather it promoted his colleague Ms Zarfashan Qaiser who was just LLB degree holder.

The Syndicate was briefed that according to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) rules, an LLB degree holder could be appointed assistant professor. Moreover, aca-demic qualification numbers of Ms Zarfashan Qaiser were 28 out of 45 while Mr Naveed`s academic qualification numbers, despite having a PhD, were 30 out 45 and even he had obtained 10 additional marks for being a PhD.

The meeting was informed that Dr Dil Muhammad and renowned lawyer Dr Khalid Ranjha participated in the Selection Board as subject experts. Moreover, during the interview, he could not obtain required marks to be appointed as assistant professor and his performance was not better. The Syndicate decided to keep the decision of the Selection Board intact and rejected his claim.

Meanwhile, a number of activists of the Punjab University Academic Staff Association held a protest demonstration againstSyndicate members Javed Sami and Shamaila Gul outside the VC office, where Syndicate meeting was under way.

Carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against Javed Sami and Shamaila Gul, the protesters demanded immediate removal of both members from the Syndicate and a fresh election on both posts.

The family members of the murdered security guard Imran were also present to register their protest against accused Javed Sami.

A delegation of ASA leaders also met the members of the Syndicate and presented the teacher community`s concerns about both members of the syndicate to them. They also discussed the issue with MPA Majid Zahoor, Rozina Aalam and Amjad Saqib.