LAHORE – The Executive Council of the Academic Staff Association (ASA) at the University of the Punjab on Friday condemned its president for what it termed conduct “inconsistent with the dignity of the office” and for supporting the administration’s position on proposed salary deductions.
The council met on April 24 under the chairmanship of Prof Dr Abdul Rehman Niazi, with Prof Dr Kamran Abid supervising the proceedings, to review the situation that had arisen during a disorderly meeting the day earlier.
Members were briefed that a five-member ASA delegation had met the vice chancellor on April 22 and conveyed growing faculty concern over delays in implementing the association’s demands. Differences emerged during the meeting, particularly regarding the proposed two-day salary deduction and the curtailment of the conveyance allowance.
According to the council, the delegation maintained that such measures could not be implemented without approval from the Finance and Planning Committee and the syndicate, and must be placed before the relevant statutory forums.
However, it expressed concern that ASA President Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi had supported the administration’s position, diverging from the delegation’s collective stance.
The council said the interaction during the vice chancellor’s meeting became tense but did not go beyond an exchange of words.
At the Executive Council meeting on April 23, a majority of members rejected the president’s position, leading to a heated exchange. The situation, however, remained under control, the council said, while noting with regret the use of inappropriate language and conduct.
The council unanimously observed that the president’s stance had adversely affected progress on faculty demands and raised concerns about alignment with the association’s mandate. It also noted reports suggesting actions that may have undermined the ASA’s agreed position.
Reaffirming its commitment to unity and constitutional functioning, the council condemned what it described as divisive tendencies and reiterated its resolve to safeguard the rights of the teaching community, particularly against any salary deductions or curtailment of benefits without due approval.
The council passed a resolution censuring the president and advising him to review his conduct. It also decided to convene a general body meeting in the near future to place the matter before the wider teaching community.
The ASA said it would continue to pursue faculty issues “with firmness and responsibility” in line with its constitutional mandate.
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