PESHAWAR: Many candidates have demanded action against the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan vice-chancellor accusing him of violating merit in the recent appointments to the university.

Led by Engineer Sikandar Khan, the candidates told reporters at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday that more than 400 people had applied for various AWKU posts but many of the shortlisted candidates were ignored for appointments and that those who secured jobs didn`t meet merit requirements.

They demanded probe into the `irregularity` and action against theVC.

Mr. Sikandar alleged that most vacancies were filled by the people related to the influential university employees.

`The wives, cousins and brothers of many senior university employees secured jobs in violation of merit but no action has been taken against the selection committee, he said.

Accompanied by several elected representatives, including local nazims Babar Ali, Adil Khan, Nasir Afridi, the candidate said the vacancies were filled but the university didn`t display merit listeither on notice board or on its website and thus, causing unrest among candidates.

He said the candidates repeatedly visited the university to know about appointments but the relevant staff members opted to keep silent.

`We came to know about the violation of merit when appointees formally joined duty after getting letters of appointment,` he said.

Mr. Sikandar claimed many appointees weren`t eligible for appointment but secured jobs for being related to influential university employees. Bureau Report