Anomalies alleged in Chitral varsity construction project

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CHITRAL: The whistleblowing letter from the former director (finance) at the University of Chitral, written while resigning from his post, has not only triggered the symbolic protest of the teaching faculty but has also filled the social media platforms with its contents. Former director (finance) Dr Syed Fahad Jan had addressed the resignation letter to the vice-chancellor of the university leveling serious allegations of large-scale financial corruption and severe administrative mismanagement in the multi-million rupee university building construction project. In his letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the resigning senior official has explicitly pointed towards financial leakages, alleged overpayments to contractors, and a total breakdown of regulatory oversight regarding the ongoing infrastructure development at the permanent campus site. Holding the institution’s key financial position, he insisted that rules were blatantly flouted to bypass standard auditing practices to speed up unverified disbursements. VC rejects allegations as ‘unprofessional, beyond understanding’ Talking to Dawn, Chitral University Faculty Association president Zahoorul Haq Danish said that the identification of serious concerns related to financial affairs and construction projects by the university’s top financial officer warranted critical attention and needed proper inquiry. He said that the contents of the letter were no longer mere rumours; they were insider testimonies that cannot be swept under the carpet by the higher education department and the Higher Education Commission and should intervene immediately. Mr Danish demanded that to ensure impartiality and transparency, the additional administrative portfolios currently held by key university officials, including the registrar, director (planning and development) and director (administration), be stripped until the probe was completed. He argued that keeping those individuals in powerful administrative roles could heavily compromise the integrity of any internal inquiry. The association president said that despite the escalating tension and protests, the faculty had chosen not to boycott classes while the peaceful symbolic protests would run parallel to routine university functions to protect the academic schedule and interests of the students. He complained that all key administrative positions, including the registrar and finance director, were held by the teaching faculty in utter violation of the governing laws of the university. When contacted, University of Chitral vice-chancellor Prof Hazirullah rejected the allegations while conceding to the overpayment to the contractor of the project for constructing university building. He said that the amount was recovered from the contractor in March 2026 when the finance director was in his office. The VC said that a provincial level committee of senior experts had been formed to probe the allegations but the former officer wasn’t appearing before it with evidence despite receiving a letter and three reminders. “The allegations are sweeping, unprofessional and beyond the university faculty and administration’s understanding. Time will soon reveal who is right or wrong,” he said in a WhatsApp message. Talking to Dawn, Dr Jan said he wanted a fact-finding committee only formed by the higher education department or the Higher Education Commission but the committee in question was formed by the vice-chancellor. He questioned the credibility of the committee formed by the person against whose behavior he had resigned from his post. Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2026

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