The internal dispute within the Punjab University Academic Staff Association (PUASA) has intensified after its president, Professor Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi, questioned the legitimacy of a general body meeting convened by a suspended faculty member and called for public disclosure of appointment and promotion records involving two senior professors.
In a statement issued on October 29, Dr Magsi said the limited participation of faculty members in the meeting had reinforced his position, thanking teachers for what he described as their support for the association’s constitutional and legal framework.
He maintained that the Academic Staff Association was a collective institution representing teachers and should operate according to its constitution, applicable laws, transparency and accountability. He also argued that resolutions passed at a meeting or expressions of solidarity could not independently establish the legal status of an office-bearer or determine the legality of an appointment.
The ASA president called for the publication and impartial examination of records concerning the appointments and promotions of Professor Dr Kamran Abid and Professor Dr Azhar Naeem. These include recruitment advertisements, academic qualifications, selection board recommendations, syndicate approvals and records relating to their transition from non-teaching to teaching positions.
The controversy follows the suspension of the two professors by Punjab University (PU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Ali Shah on October 23, after a meeting of the Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Higher Education took up allegations concerning their appointments and promotions. The suspensions were issued under Section 15(3) of the University of the Punjab Act, 1973, subject to approval by the university’s syndicate.
Dr Magsi also referred to legal questions raised by the Lahore High Court concerning the appointments in May 2026, arguing that the relevant judicial and administrative records should be examined before conclusions are drawn. He said that if the appointments complied with applicable rules, disclosure of the records would help address concerns, while any suspected irregularities should be investigated through a transparent process.
He further questioned the argument that the suspension orders were illegal without a complete examination of the relevant legal and administrative record. While acknowledging the importance of protecting teachers’ dignity, he said this principle should not exempt any individual from accountability or an impartial investigation.
The dispute has also exposed divisions within the association over its leadership and the legitimacy of general body meetings. A May 2026 report by Dawn documented disagreements over the association’s representation, meeting procedures and attendance, with rival groups presenting conflicting positions on the legitimacy of proceedings.
Meanwhile, a separate general body meeting held on October 29 reportedly expressed solidarity with the suspended professors, condemned their suspensions and called for an independent forensic audit of the university’s financial and administrative affairs. This reflects the continuing differences within the teaching community over the handling of the controversy.
Dr Magsi also cautioned against using the association’s platform to advance the interests of particular individuals or undermine its elected leadership. He said the validity of organisational meetings, resolutions and decisions must be assessed under the ASA constitution and applicable rules.
Emphasising the university’s academic responsibilities, he said protecting admissions, teaching activities, administrative affairs and a peaceful educational environment should remain a shared priority. He called for all allegations to be assessed on the basis of evidence rather than assumptions or personal differences.
The ASA president reiterated that transparency, accountability, institutional integrity and equal application of the law were essential to resolving the dispute and protecting Punjab University’s reputation.
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The controversy is likely to remain a significant issue for the university’s academic community as investigations into the appointments and promotions of the two professors proceed.
