PHC asks KP govt to submit reply

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday issued notice to the provincial government regarding a petition against the possible sale of land belonging to various government universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A two-member bench, consisting of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Syed Arshad Ali, called for a response from the government in the matter.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Daras Khan Afridi, informed the court that land measuring over 400 kanals had been acquired between 2009 and 2012 for the University of Engineering and Technology, the Agricultural University, and Bacha Khan Medical College in Mardan. He said that reports have now surfaced indicating that the provincial government plans to sell this land and exert pressure on relevant officials to revise the original master plan of these institutions.

The lawyer stated that several universities were currently operating without vice-chancellors and were facing financial difficulties.

He said that the government was also considering merging several universities. He contended that the government does not have the authority to sell these lands, which were acquired for building institutions and other educational purposes.

The petitioners have requested the court to restrain the government from selling or merging the universities’ lands until a final decision is made on the petition.

They also sought court orders for the provincial government to release funds to universities facing financial issues.

The bench issued a notice to the provincial government seeking reply in the case.