Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur addressed meet the press held at University to apprise the Media Persons, Civil Society Activists and Well Wishers of the University about the tangible efforts taken by him during his period from 02 October 2020 till date and in the wake of the strike of Employees Welfare Association on the plea of their charter of Demand. 

Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto said that Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur is the third largest premier Higher Education Institution of Sindh catering the academic needs of the students belongs to below poverty line imparting quality higher education. It is immense pleasure and proud for me that thousands of the students are rendering their services in every section of the life in befitting manner. Since, I joined this prestigious institution on 2nd October 2020, the following developments have been taken place. 

Formation of Deans Committee in order to participate in the academic matters of the University, Establishment of Campus Management Cell for the better governance of the University, Establishment of Beautification Cell aimed at to provide clean and green environment at the campus, Establishment of Fund Raising and University Image Building Committee in order to avail the funds from the philanthropists and government sectors, Strengthening the Disciplinary Committee. The purpose of this committee aimed at to maintain the discipline among the students, Conflict Management Committee. This Committee aimed at to manage the internal conflict among the stakeholders at campus, Establishment of F.M Radio, Establishment of Command and Control System. 

Dr. Ibupoto said that when I joined as Vice Chancellor, the salaries to the staff was not paid. Even they managed protest at the Press Club, Khairpur during the Eid Days. Now the salaries and pensions are being disbursed timely on 1st Day of the every month. Recently, Rs. 230 Million Pensionary Benefits among the retired staff from grade 02 to grade 22 have been disbursed pending from year 2017 to 2021. By taking drastic cut in the expenditure, we have controlled the deficit of Rs. 224 Million. 

On academic side, we have signed number of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and Research and Development (R&D) Organizations to foster the academic linkage and for the promotion of research culture. During the month of November and December 2021, we have organized two international conferences in the Department of Geography and Department of Political Science. 

Vice Chancellor briefed the media persons about the new initiatives taken by the University Administration, two new buildings have been made functional, Sweet water and games for students hostels, Sun Shade for students, 50 Need based Scholarships have been availed from the Government of Sindh. First Ever Child Care Center, regular monitoring of students canteen, USAID students center, computer in various sections, Biometric Machines Installed, Repair of Boys & Girls Hostels. Vice Chancellor also briefed the future plans to the media persons, Construction of Girls & Boys Hostels, Installation of ATM Machine for Girls & Families septetly, Establishment of Girls Gymnasium, and Chairs PC-I.

Dr. Ibupoto remarked that during the last 10 days, the Office Bearers of Employees Welfare Association on the plea of their charter of demand have launched strike. It is recalled that University administration constituted a Negotiation Committee consisting of 5 Members including Dean Faculty of Social Sciences as its Convener. The office bearers of Employees Welfare Association raised objection on the inclusion of 2 Members who are the Members of the Syndicate and they escape from the negotiation process. Different times, they were invited to hold dialogue with the negotiation committee but they refused. As result, a fresh committee was constituted on their demand but they declined to continue the process of dialogue. On Thursday 16-12-2021, a delegation of different panels met with the Vice Chancellor and presented same charter of demand in the presence of the some members of the Negotiation Committee. The talks were concluded successfully. The following actions have been taken in the backdrop of the dialogue. Release of 50% of Enhanced Salary as announced by the Government. The arrears of 50% have been released to the employees from BPS-02 to BPS-16 on 17-12-2021. The release of Rs. 2000 as Jersey Allowance has also been paid to the lower staff of class IV has been paid. Part time allowance to Drivers have been issued by the Registrar office on 17-12-2021 on the need basis as recommended by the Senior Transport Officer. The fresh Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) have been notified and its meeting has been fixed on 5th January 2021 in order to promote the employees from BPS-02 to BPS-16 as per rules. For Regularization of Adhoc Employees appointed on Diseased Quota, the Registrar office has issued a notification for calling a progress report from the relevant section where they are performing their duties. After examining their cases they will get their regular orders. The University has appointed 18 real heirs of Diseased Employees as per their Qualification and also appointed 6 Lady Teachers in Model School on the demand of Employees Welfare Association. On the demand of Employees Welfare Association, Medical Health Insurance Committee has been constituted, wherein, the General Secretary of Employees Welfare Association also included as its Member. The draft of the policy has been prepared and placed in the agenda of the next meeting of Syndicate. On the demand of the Employees, Medical Advisory Committee has been constituted to recommend the cases of medical bills of employees. 30 Employees as per technical policy as first instance have been awarded 2 higher grades. The revised salary is being disbursed to employees. 30 % of Leave Encashment to all employees from BPS-2 to BPS-22 has been paid. All Chowkidars have been paid their arrears. House Building Loans of Rs. Of 50,000 each have been paid to 100 Employees. All the employees who are holding technical posts are given technical allowance. Rs. 1,000 Utility allowance has been paid to all the employees from BPS-2 to BPS-16. Driving Allowance has been allowed Rs. 1250 per month to the Drivers. All Pakistan Tour has been restored for Employees. 

Dr. Ibupoto said that the some of the problems are the jurisdiction of statuary bodies i.e. Finance Planning Committee, Syndicate, and Senate will be resolved as per policy. It is pathetic that 7 Employees were involved in the preparation of bogus slips during the Annual Examinations 2020. On the complaint of aggrieved candidates a Fact Finding and Inquiry Committee was constituted on the Senior Professor and Officers of the University, as result the 7 employees were found involved in fraudulent, forgery, manipulation and issuance of bogus slips and looted the innocent candidates. On the basis of the reports of The Facts Findings Committee the matter was placed in the last meeting of Syndicate. The Members of the Syndicate unanimously decided to place their services suspended. Meanwhile, a high powered inquiry committee consisting on the 4 Syndicate Members has been constituted further to probe the matter in detail.

This is the reaction of suspension of 7 Employees. The most of the problems have been resolved. Some problems are related with the finance as soon as funds will be released, their problems will be resolved accordingly.  

In the wake of the current situation, I appeal the media persons, civil society, well wishers of the University to raise voice against the strike culture so the institution could advanced and emerge as leading institution of the region as well as world. 

Dr. Ibupoto said that we have always adopted open door policy and firmly believe in dialogue and discourse. Prof. Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Mashori, Deans of Faculty of Arts & Languages, Prof. Dr. Taj Muhammad Lashari, Director Media & Public Relations, Mr. Mureed Hussain Ibupoto Registrar, and Mr. Nisar Ahmed Noonari, Director Finance attended the Press Conference.