PESHAWAR: Many candidates have demanded action against the Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan vicechancellor 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 the VC.

Mr. Sikandar alleged that most vacancies were filled by the people related to the influentialuniversityemployees.

`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 list either 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.

He said the university`s all student groups had assured candidates of complete support and cooperation on the matter.

`We have asked the VC to cancel all appointments and fill vacancies purely on merit and if that doesn`t happen, the people of Mardan district will begin staging protest demonstrations,` he said.

The nazims said they would raise the matter during the district council`s session as violation of merit in the AWKU appointments was a sheer injustice to eligible candidates and that they won`t keep silent on it.

They said the rate of unemployment was fast growing in Mardan and therefore, it was the duty of the provincial government to ensure appointments on merit in line with the slogans of ruling PTI`s chief Imran Khan. Bureau Report