Civil society, PML-N leader demand reinstatement of Gomal University VC

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jun, 2026) The Dera Civil Society and a senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) have strongly condemned the decision to send Gomal University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal on forced leave, urging the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to immediately restore him to his position and allow the ongoing reform process at the university to continue.

A meeting of Dera Civil Society, chaired by its President Sohail Ahmed Azmi and attended by General Secretary Ali Muhammad Marwat along with other office-bearers and members, unanimously adopted a resolution criticizing the move.

The participants described Gomal University as a key institution of higher education and research in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, serving students from Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, South Waziristan and other underdeveloped districts for more than five decades.

The resolution stated that the ongoing action against alleged fake degrees, financial irregularities and violations of merit was in accordance with the law and national interest, and should be taken to its logical conclusion without any external pressure.

It further maintained that no individual should be punished before being proven guilty, saying that if any allegations or inquiry exist against the vice chancellor, they should be decided through due legal process and transparent investigation rather than by removing him from the office and disrupting the reform agenda.

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The meeting called upon the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the Chief Minister, in his capacity as Chancellor of the university, to immediately reinstate Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal, ensure completion of investigations into alleged fake degrees, financial corruption and other irregularities, and protect officials pursuing accountability from any form of pressure. It also stressed the need to uphold merit, transparency and the rule of law within the university.

The resolution reaffirmed Dera Civil Society's commitment to continue raising its voice through constitutional, legal and democratic forums for the protection of Gomal University's reputation, academic standards, merit and transparent accountability, while opposing any attempt to shield corrupt elements or undermine the credibility of educational institutions.

Separately, former PML-N district general secretary and member of the party's central and provincial councils, Chaudhry Riaz Advocate, also demanded the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal. He praised the vice chancellor and his team for exposing alleged fake degree cases, saying such efforts deserved recognition rather than removal from office.

He termed the decision to send the vice chancellor on a 90-day forced leave a violation of justice and urged the provincial government to restore him without delay so that the accountability process at the university could continue unhindered.