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2 AJKLA bodies to probe Al Khair affairs, fraud, neglect cases

From a Correspondent

Muzaffarabad: The AJK Legislative Assembly, which met here on Monday, on 'call attention' notices from opposition benches, formed two house committees for probe into jurisdiction violation by Al Khair Univeristy and reported irregularities, corruption, expired medicines worth millions of rupees in health departments stores and rusting of Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences equipment as a result of negligence.

Monday was private members' day and opposition benches took full opportunity of it and tabled 'call attention' notices in the house.

Opposition's active legislator and PPP chairman (Rathore group) through his call attention notice drew the attention of the house towards Al Khair University affairs and said that the University was 'auctioning' degrees in Pakistan and fleecing the masses in the name of 'AK University' which in spell means Al Khair University.

He said that this university has opened 452 branches in Pakistan and the government of Punjab has issued non-acceptance of its degrees in Pakistan.

He said that when its degrees are not acceptable in Pakistan why the students are being fleeced and why their future is being put at stake.

Acting leader of the house and senior minister Mohammed Ishaq Zafar, explaining the government stance said that under the Act passed from this house Al Khair University cannot open any branch or institution out of AJK. He said that Punjab government has written a letter to AJK government for the closure of Al Khair's branches in Punjab, and added that he could request the chair to give the ruling for the government for closure of this university's all branches in the four provinces of Pakistan.

Muslim Conference (Q) member Ghulam Qadir on the point of order said that Al Khair University's case was already under trial in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and opined that the house could not give the ruling for the closure of Al Khair branches in Pakistan.Kh Farooq Ahmed on the point of order asked the chair to take stern action against those who were putting the future of young generation at stake.

Speaker Ch Abdul Majeed constituted a house committee comprising Mohammed Ashraf, 'Chacha' Ali Mohammed, Ali Khan Chugathi, Sanaullah Qadri, Javeed Akthar, and Israr Abbasi for the probe and asked for furnishing of report to the house by April 13.

On the call attention notice of Ali Khan Chugathi about the alleged misappropriation, corruption, negligence, and expiry of medicines worth millions of rupees in the stores of health department and rusting of Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences machinery, the speaker constituted a house committee and asked to furnish the report in one month (by April 13).

Earlier, the house expressed grief and shock over the demise of member of the house and veteran politician Mian Ghulam Rasool Shodahie Lanjot and Fateha was offered for the departed soul.

Senior minister Ishaq Zafar presented condolence reference and paid tribute for his political, religious services for the masses of AJK and Neelum valley.

Later, the speaker adjourned the house for Tuesday.