Islamabad: The Supreme Court has declared the appointment of Muhammad Sarwar, Vice President of the International Islamic University (IIU), as illegal. During the hearing, officials from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) revealed that the university receives the highest government grant. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, heard the case concerning the International Islamic University, where HEC officials disclosed that the university receives substantial financial support from the federal government.
HEC officials informed the court that IIU receives an annual grant exceeding Rs 2.1 billion, alongside an additional Rs 600 million in grants from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Despite this, the university faces a deficit of Rs 4.17 billion. The Additional Attorney General of Pakistan informed the court that Muhammad Sarwar was appointed as Vice President of the university illegally, without approval from the Board of Governors.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa questioned IIU’s Director of HR, Atiq ur Rehman, about the appointment of Muhammad Sarwar. In response, Rehman stated that Sarwar had personally requested his appointment as Vice President. The Supreme Court ruled the appointment of Muhammad Sarwar as illegal, while the Secretary of Education assured the court that the university would undergo an audit by the Auditor General.
The court left the matter of Rector Samina Malik’s position to the federal government, directing them to decide whether she should continue in her role. The case’s hearing, presided over by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, has been adjourned indefinitely.
Earlier, heated words were exchanged between Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and lawyer of Rector IIU Samina Malik.
