CHITRAL: The sudden transfer of the principal and a physics professor of Upper Chitral’s only degree college has sparked widespread criticism on social media against the provincial government, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) local leadership, and Deputy Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Suraiya Bibi.
According to sources, both officers, belonging to Grade 20 and Grade 19, were transferred despite an ongoing ban on appointments and postings across the province. Their transfer, carried out through special exemption, has fueled suspicions that the move was not routine administrative action but motivated by special interests.
Investigations revealed that a junior staff member (Naib Qasid) at the Government Degree College for Boys Upper Chitral, brother of PTI Tehsil Mastuj President, had been absent from duty for a long time. Following a departmental inquiry, disciplinary action was initiated against him. In response, it is alleged that the principal and professor were abruptly removed from their posts.
As criticism mounted on social media, Deputy Speaker Suraiya Bibi rejected allegations of involvement, stating that the transfers were purely a departmental matter.
The PTI Tehsil Mastuj President (the brother of the staff member) also issued a statement denying any role in the transfers, stressing that appointments and postings of government employees are handled under departmental policy.
PTI Upper Chitral President, Shahzada Sikandar-ul-Mulk, likewise denied party involvement but pledged that if any party leader or worker were proven to be responsible, action would be taken against them. Several other PTI leaders have issued similar statements, though public sentiment remains largely in favor of the college faculty.
Many social media users, including PTI supporters, have strongly condemned the move, describing it as damaging to the party’s reputation.
