LAHORE, April 28: Throwing away all semblance of institutional impartiality, the Punjab University administration on Sunday invited candidates of a political party to a reception where varsity employees were reportedly asked to vote for the invitees on May 11, the polling day.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz nominee for the National Assembly constituency, NA-126, Khwaja Ahmed Hassaan and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-151 Tauseef Shah were invited to a breakfast at the varsity`s executive club.

A participant of the gathering, who requested not to be named, told Dawn that around 100 university employees, including senior faculty, were present at the reception, where those in attendance were introduced with the guests and were request to vote and support the candidates in the general election. The university premises fall under the constituencies of the two hopefuls.

Club chairman Dr Shaukat Ali, who is also accused of having a fake matriculation certificate, was not taking calls at his cell phone when this reporter tried to contact him for his version.

PU Examination Controller Dr Liaquat, who was also among the audience, argued that Hassaan just visited his alma mater being a former Hailey College student.

Asked whether any other old student was ever invited to the institution which produced dozens of politicians, he said (PMLN leader) Sartaj Aziz and PPP secretary general Jehangir Badr had been visiting the university.

About canvassing, he replied Hassaan did not come for electioneering. `It was a social gathering as the club also hosts weddings and other functions,` he said.

`Somebody might have called for voting for the guests as you cannot restrain everybody from talking (politics),` Mr Liaquat replied to another query about seeking votes for the PML-N candidates on the occasion.

Meanwhile, A Punjab University spokesperson clarified in statement issued to APP that the PU administration had no political affiliations, neither it hosted any breakfast for any election candidate. He said the candidates do visit PU employees colony for canvassing as it was their constitutional right.