HYDERABAD: A division bench of the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit, on Thursday allowed Sindh University pro-vice chancellor designate Dr Imdad Ismaili to appear in an interview, scheduled for Saturday, for the post of vice chancellor of the same university.

The bench comprising JusticeSalahuddinPanhwar and Justice Mohammad Iqbal Maher passed the order after hearing arguments by Prof Ismaili`s counsel Advocate Ishrat Lohar.

The counsel submitted in court that his client was hit by the bench`s Oct 26 order passed on a petition filed by a lawyer, Khuda Bux Leghari. Advocate Lohar claimed that the petitioner had concealed facts in order to deprive his client of his right to appear before a search committee tasked with recommending a new vice chancellor for the university. He prayed to courtto modify the Oct 26 order.

The counsel informed court that in his own petition (777/16), Prof Ismaili had filed a contempt plea with the result that after denotifying his appointment as the pro-VC on April 19, he was reappointed on the same post on Oct 21 and then he withdrew his contempt plea.

The bench ordered the case [pertaining to the professor`s appointment as the pro-VC] which was earlier adjourned to Nov 30, to be taken up on Nov 16. It issued notices to all respondents.

The bench also modified its Oct 26 order to the extent that Dr Ismaili could appear in the interview, and ruled that the results of his interview should not be announced till the next date of hearing.

The bench also directed the court`s of fice to club Prof Ismaili`s and Khuda Bux Leghari`s petitions together.

-Staff Correspondent