IHC upholds QAU's autonomy
In the written order issued by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, the court stated that under the Quaid-i-Azam University Act, 1973, the university is a legally empowered and autonomous institution. The decision in question was made by the university's Syndicate through a resolution, and universities, as autonomous bodies, have the authority to formulate their own disciplinary, administrative, and academic policies.
The court held that matters related to the summer session and hostel accommodation fall within the internal administrative domain of the university and are thus part of its autonomous functioning.
The petitioners failed to demonstrate any violation of a fundamental right or legal provision that would justify the court's intervention under Article 199 of the Constitution.
The QAU's Registrar clarified that the directives were issued in compliance with decisions taken at a Syndicate meeting. The court observed that the matter pertains to a dispute between the university administration and certain students and is entirely related to internal governance and administrative affairs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
‘PTI lawmakers' convictions still stand': ECP rejects Barrister Gohar's claim
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has refuted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan's assertion regarding the status of three disqualified legislators, stressing that their convictions have not been set aside. The election commission said this in response to Barrister Gohar's blaming the ECP of being biased towards the PTI, asserting that disqualification of his party's leaders was another reflection of the alleged prejudice. Upon disqualification of Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, MNA Ahmed Chattha, and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar, the PTI chairman said they were de-notified under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution, without going into whether their convictions by the anti-terrorism court (ATC) Sargodha are legally sustainable or not. He asserted that none of the offences of which they were 'wrongfully' convicted, were offences of 'moral turpitude' to attract Article 63(1)(h). Gohar also said in the case of Abdul Latif, our MNA from Chitral, convicted by ATC Islamabad on May 30, the ECP issued notice on question of disqualification and fixed the case for hearing on July 29 (today). This was a self-contradiction, he added. Three PTI lawmakers: ECP issues disqualification notifications In its official statement, the ECP made clear that the disqualifications of Senator Chaudhry, MNA Chattha, and Punjab Assembly opposition leader Bhachar remain in full effect. 'Their convictions handed down by an anti-terrorism court still stand.' However, the ECP also clarified that Abdul Latif Chitrali's case stands apart from other convicted legislators. While Chitrali himself did not approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC), several of his co-accused in the May 9 case filed appeals. The IHC subsequently overturned their convictions and ordered their release. Although Chitrali was not among the petitioners, the ECP noted that the ruling carries implications for individuals linked to the same proceedings. Accordingly, Chitrali has been issued a notice to appear before the ECP to assist in determining whether the IHC's decision regarding his co-accused in the May 9 case may extend to him as well. A day ago, the ECP has issued separate disqualification notifications, under Article 63(1)(h), for three PTI lawmakers, following their convictions by an anti-terrorism court of Sargodha last week in the May 9 riots case. All three were handed 10-year prison sentences under anti-terrorism charges. The case, registered at the Musa Khel police station against PTI leaders and supporters, pertained to the violent protests and vandalism that erupted in Mianwali following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a graft case. The ATC found Bhachar and the other accused guilty of participating in the May 9, 2023 riots, which targeted state institutions and public properties and led to violent clashes with law enforcers across Pakistan, after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested on May 9.
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Report claims rights violations in Sindh flood recovery efforts
LAHORE: A South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) fact-finding mission has revealed grave human rights violations in the aftermath of the 2022 floods that devastated large parts of Pakistan, particularly Sindh province. The report underscores how climate change-induced disasters continue to exacerbate deep-rooted social and economic inequalities, leaving the most vulnerable communities further marginalized. According to the findings, despite nearly three years since the catastrophic floods, significant gaps remain in the recovery and rehabilitation process, especially in districts such as Larkana, Shikarpur, and Nawabshah. The mission found that the recovery efforts not only failed to uphold the fundamental rights of flood victims, as guaranteed by Pakistan's Constitution and international commitments, but also reinforced existing feudal and socio-political structures. The report was released to media on Monday by Ahmad Rafay Alam, Advocate & Environment Expert, Farooq Tariq, President Haqooq-e-Khalq Party, and Muhammad Tahseen, Executive Director, South Asia Partnership. They said in Nawabshah district, embankments were allegedly breached to protect lands owned by influential landlords, exposing poor villages to flooding. Some distressed populations were completely erased from the official disaster response, with entire villages like Usman Brohi in UC Chanesar of the district receiving no government assessment or support, thus denying their basic right to protection and recovery. In the Shikarpur district, the mission met a woman whose husband had two wives, both living in the same house, struggling to maintain dignity and privacy for nine people in a so-called 'flood-resistant' house - a mere 16×18 ft room, without a toilet or kitchen. This room-provided through the Sindh government's housing scheme and funded predominantly by the World Bank (WB) and other financial institutions-fundamentally violated the residents' rights to adequate housing and a living standard offering privacy and dignity. They further added landless tenants, who make up the majority of the affected populace, found them excluded from housing assistance due to demands for the required documentation which are impossible to acquire within a system of verbal land agreements - a clear violation of the principles of non-discrimination in a humanitarian response. Many women-who are already facing obstacles in patriarchal society-described travelling long distances at considerable expense, to navigate bureaucratic processes designed with little consideration for their constraints, which undermines their right to equal access to assistance. Sharing the recommendations of the fact-finding mission, the speakers asked the government to incorporate human rights standards into disaster management frameworks, reform land rights systems to address the vulnerability of landless populations and establish a Climate Justice Fund financed through progressive taxation, at global and local level, and re-conceptualise assistance as 'climate reparations' - shifting from 'recovery financing' to compensation, mandate appropriate housing standards with essential facilities. It asked to ensure dignified living, implement independent oversight with community representation, revise SPHF minimum standards to include essential facilities, ensure sufficient space for average household sizes, implement participatory design processes involving respect and care for cultural diversity, eliminating discriminatory criteria that exclude self-recovering households, develop a comprehensive housing policy incorporating the principles of sustainable climate resilience, create alternative documentation systems that are made accessible for landless populations. The Sindh government was recommended to implement land reforms addressing established feudal patterns, redesign housing programmes to ensure human dignity and cultural appropriateness, develop Sindh-specific climate adaptation strategies, establish public monitoring with direct accountability to affected communities, create district climate resilience units, integrating local knowledge, establish transparency mechanisms, making recovery information accessible, create public oversight committees with decision-making authorities, simplify administrative procedures to reduce barriers to participation, develop accessible grievance mechanisms with binding remedies. The report also asked the international financial institutions to shift from loans to grants for climate disaster recovery, create flexible frameworks accommodating local realities, etc. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Restrictions on access of family to jail: Adiala jail authorities directed to act on IK's sister plea
ISLAMABAD: The special court on Monday ordered Adiala jail authorities to act on a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan's sister against restrictions on access of family members to jail during the trial of the Toshakhana-II case against Khan and his wife as per law. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, while hearing a petition filed by Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, against barring her and her other family members from attending the jail trial of Toshakhana-II case against Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The court directed Adiala jail authorities to act on the petition in accordance with the law. Aleema Khan's counsel, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, appeared before the court. He argued that despite clear court orders, family members were not being allowed to enter Adiala Jail. According to the petition, not only were family members denied access, but Imran Khan's legal team was also barred from participating in jail proceedings. The petition stated that in previous cases such as Toshakhana, cipher, and Al-Qadir Trust, restrictions on access to jail were unjustified and unlawful. Chaudhry further told the court that denying access to family members and lawyers constitutes a violation of the legal rights of the accused. The petition also challenged the legitimacy of the trial in the cipher case due to the lack of access, claiming the proceedings were flawed. The petition stressed that under Section 352 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the trial should be open, and public access is a fundamental right. It further asserted that under Article 10-A of the Constitution, the right to legal representation is a basic right of every citizen. The petition maintained that there is no legal basis to prevent family members from attending hearings, and such denial is unconstitutional and undermines the principle of a fair trial. He said that the court had earlier issued clear orders to ensure access for both family and the legal team, but those orders were not being implemented. The court after hearing arguments, directed the jail superintendent to act in accordance with the law. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
