Arid University Staff Ordered to Pay Rs 3,500 Each for HEC Chairman’s Dinner
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi has come under scrutiny after issuing an official circular directing compulsory financial contributions from faculty and officers for a felicitation dinner in honor of the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The directive, which requires Rs.3,500 from each officer of BS-17 and above, has sparked criticism from staff members who allege coercion and question the timing of the event.
According to an official circular issued by the university administration, a “Felicitation Dinner” is being arranged to honor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, at the university’s main campus.
The circular clearly instructs Deans, Directors, Administrators, and Heads of Departments to ensure participation of their respective faculty members and officers with a compulsory contribution of Rs.3,500 each. The amount is to be deposited through departmental heads to the Assistant Registrar before the specified deadline to “make the event successful and finalize arrangements”
The document further states that the arrangement has been made “apropos to the directions of the Competent Authority (viz. Vice Chancellor),” indicating that the decision was approved at the highest administrative level within the university
However, the move has triggered strong reactions among sections of the university staff. In a widely circulated social media post, it was alleged that money was being collected through an official notification and that staff members were being compelled to contribute despite reservations.
Some employees reportedly requested reconsideration of the event timing, citing the commencement of Ramadan and the first Taraweeh prayers, but were allegedly instructed to ensure strict compliance.
Sources within the university, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the contribution as “mandatory in practice,” claiming that departmental heads were under pressure to guarantee full participation. One faculty member stated that while university events are common, “formal written compulsion for monetary contribution raises serious ethical and administrative questions.”
The controversy has also led to calls for the HEC Chairman to publicly clarify his position. Critics argue that senior public officials should avoid events where financial contributions are perceived to be forcibly collected from government employees. “Public institutions must operate on transparency and voluntary participation, not pressure,” a senior academic commented.
The circular’s language makes no mention of voluntary contribution and explicitly requires collection through official channels before a fixed deadline
The matter has intensified debate over governance practices in public universities, financial propriety, and administrative accountability.
When contacted, Dr. Nadim Malik, spokesperson for Arid Agriculture University, confirmed the issuance of the circular. He described it as part of the “American system” and said the purpose of the circular is to reduce the use of government funds.
However, he did not specifically respond to a question about why a dinner has been made mandatory during the visit of the new Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).