PESHAWAR: The provincial Ombudsman of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken serious notice of alleged mismanagement at the University of Agriculture Peshawar regarding the misuse of Higher Education Commission need-based scholarship funds and the denial of rights to deserving students.
Despite the availability of HEC funds, a student’s final degree has been withheld, while the Scholarship Committee’s minutes cite a “university financial crisis” as justification. The KP Ombudsman Secretariat has summoned the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University of Agriculture Peshawar to respond to complaints of administrative negligence and illegal use of funds.
HEC need-based scholarship funds amounting to Rs. 76,470 were approved for a BS Information Technology student and are available in the university’s finance office. Despite documentary proof, the scholarship office has refused to adjust them against the student’s outstanding hostel dues.
As a result, the issuance of the student’s final degree has been unlawfully withheld.The Scholarship Committee’s minutes state that the funds are not being released because the university is facing a financial crisis. Legal experts say it is legally untenable to make HEC’s need-based funds, earmarked for deserving students, conditional on the university’s financial deficit.
The Peshawar High Court in recent judgments has ruled that no educational institution can withhold or deduct students’ need-based scholarship funds citing financial crisis or lack of funding. Therefore, the university’s position appears to be in direct conflict with PHC precedents and HEC policies.
Another troubling aspect is the alleged pressure on the student by the Scholarship Committee and administration to enroll in the MS program at the Agriculture University. According to the student, the adjustment of scholarship funds is being made conditional on taking admission to the new program, which is a violation of merit, transparency, and student rights.Taking action, the KP Ombudsman Secretariat Advisor-II has issued an official notice No. PO/Complaint/2346/07/2026 to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar seeking a reply. As a satisfactory response was not received within the stipulated time, the case has now moved to the stage of a second notice.
The affected student, who has lost key employment opportunities due to the delay in receiving the degree, has demanded an immediate and transparent inquiry from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in his capacity as Chancellor, and the Chairman HEC.
The student has asked that the justification of financial crisis mentioned in the committee minutes be reviewed and hostel dues be immediately adjusted from HEC funds with the degree issued. He has also demanded that the unrelated condition of MS admission be removed, the remaining HEC funds be released after deduction of dues, and those responsible for the alleged violation of HEC rules and student rights be identified for departmental action.
The student has stated that if the university administration does not withdraw this decision and provide relief, he reserves the legal right to approach the Peshawar High Court in light of its previous judgments, and the entire legal and moral responsibility will lie with the current administration.
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