Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lawmaker and Sindh Assembly member Engr Syed Adil Askari has written a letter to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, urging him to reconsider the proposal to separate the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) and the HEJ Research Institute from the University of Karachi.
In his letter dated November 24, the MPA noted that the ICCBS is not only an internationally recognised research centre but also a vital pillar of the university’s academic identity. The letter states that the institution, founded under the leadership of renowned scientist Dr Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, has significantly contributed to research, global collaboration, and the academic reputation of both the province and the country.
Expressing concern over the proposal, Askari pointed out that no consultation had taken place with the university’s syndicate, senate, faculty members, or employees before taking such a major administrative step. “Decisions of this magnitude require transparent dialogue, academic evaluation, and broad consensus,” he emphasised.
Referring to the precedent of the Institute of Business Administration’s (IBA) separation from Karachi University, the MPA said such actions often result in reduced public access, increased financial burden, and administrative complications. He noted that the IBA’s rising fee structure and institutional concerns reflect the long-term consequences of separation — risks that could now threaten the future of the ICCBS as well.
