DERA ISMAIL KHAN: An investigation report into alleged irregularities in recruitment, promotions and selection procedures at Gomal University has raised serious questions over the appointments and promotions of 71 individuals in grades 18, 19 and 21.
According to the report, irregularities were allegedly found in the allocation of academic and interview marks during the selection process. In several cases, candidates were reportedly awarded additional marks or had marks reduced, while some candidates allegedly did not meet the required educational qualifications, experience or other eligibility criteria.
The report also identified cases where scrutiny records were unavailable, calling for verification of the selection decisions against original documents, including selection board minutes and candidates’ academic and professional records.
In one case, a candidate’s academic marks were recorded as 21.76 during scrutiny but 31.76 in the minutes, resulting in an alleged difference of 10 marks. The report also cites other cases involving increases of three, five, six and 15 marks, among others.
The investigation further raised objections over appointments allegedly made despite candidates lacking the required qualifications. In one case, the report noted that a candidate did not possess the required PhD. Another case allegedly involved tampering with an MPhil degree record and the award of additional marks for publications, potentially benefiting the candidate in the selection process.
Questions were also raised over the experience marks awarded to certain candidates. According to the report, some individuals were credited with additional or irrelevant experience despite having less than the required relevant experience. In one case, an individual with around two years of service was allegedly credited with seven additional years of relevant experience. Another case involved the alleged award of benefit for eight years of irrelevant experience.
The report also highlighted instances where scrutiny records could not be located despite appointments having been made. In one case, the minutes of the selection board reportedly did not record a decision regarding the appointment of an associate professor and a lecturer, prompting investigators to recommend immediate verification from the original record.
Several cases allegedly involved candidates receiving appointments despite having lower academic merit. The report also questioned a case in which a candidate received 25 out of 25 marks from all selection board interviewers.
In another case, a candidate’s initial screening test score of 28 out of 100 was allegedly changed later to 51 out of 100, according to the investigation.
The report further identified cases in which candidates were reportedly declared ineligible during scrutiny but were subsequently appointed as lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors and professors.
Some appointments were described in the document as involving marks that were allegedly “unlawfully increased.” However, the report’s observations do not by themselves establish criminal or legal liability. The final legal status of the allegations would depend on verification of the original records and consideration of the positions of the university and other concerned parties by the competent authorities or a court.
The investigation has recommended a comprehensive examination of the original selection records, scrutiny documents, selection board minutes, academic credentials and experience certificates of the candidates concerned.
The findings have raised significant questions over the transparency and integrity of recruitment and promotion procedures at Gomal University. The matter now appears to warrant further scrutiny by the relevant authorities, including forensic examination of records and determination of responsibility where irregularities are established.
