ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: The Senate Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures has concluded the case of alleged privilege breach involving a senior professor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), after the university’s vice chancellor extended an unconditional apology on the professor’s behalf.
The controversy arose when Prof. Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, a senior faculty member at QAU, reportedly referred to senators as “ill-informed” during a discussion regarding illegal hostel occupants. The remarks were deemed derogatory, prompting a privilege motion filed by Senator Behramand Tangi in July, accusing the professor of disrespecting the upper house.
During the committee meeting, QAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar appeared in person and tendered a formal written apology, assuring the panel that the university holds Parliament in the highest esteem. The committee, chaired by Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, accepted the apology and decided to dispose of the matter, emphasizing that respect for Parliament and its members must always be maintained.
The Senate panel also directed QAU to take steps ensuring that such incidents do not recur and to strengthen communication between academia and policymakers. Members of the committee further discussed issues related to the illegal occupation of hostels, drug use on campus, and land encroachments within university premises — signalling a broader review of governance concerns at one of the country’s top institutions.
With the case now closed, the decision reflects a conciliatory approach — upholding parliamentary dignity while encouraging dialogue and reform within academic institutions.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.