The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has suspended disciplinary proceedings against Prof Dr Shabir Ahmad Khan, a BPS-21 professor and former Acting Director of the Area Study Centre at the University of Peshawar.
A division bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Inamullah Khan stayed further proceedings after hearing preliminary arguments and issued notices to the respondents, directing them to submit para-wise comments.
Representing the petitioner, Barrister Syed Saad Ali Shah argued that the charge-sheet and statement of allegations had been issued by an individual who was neither formally appointed as Director of the Area Study Centre nor lawfully serving as its Acting Director. He maintained that disciplinary action against a senior BPS-21 professor and former acting director could not legally be initiated by a person lacking statutory authority.
The court was informed that the Area Study Centre, established under the Area Study Centres Act, 1975, has remained without a regular director for more than six years. Counsel contended that the 46th meeting of the Board of Governors, held on June 1, 2023, had assigned the acting charge of the Centre to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar, rather than the official who later issued the charge-sheet.
The petition also challenges the basis of the disciplinary proceedings.
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