PESHAWAR: The Higher Education, Archives & Libraries Department of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has constituted a fact-finding inquiry committee to investigate alleged nepotism, favouritism and procedural irregularities in the Selection Board of University of Haripur.
The provincial government has taken notice of a news report published on February 19, 2026 in The News under the headline ‘Allegations of irregularities surface at University of Haripur,’ which highlighted alleged violations of merit and irregularities in the university’s recent Selection Board meetings.
According to the official notification, the purpose of the inquiry is to ascertain facts, ensure transparency and examine whether appointments were made in strict compliance with the University Act, relevant statutes, rules and government policies.
The three-member committee will be headed by Muhammad Farooq, Additional Secretary Universities. Azhar Zahoor, Deputy Secretary Universities, and the Registrar of Abbottabad University of Science and Technology will serve as members.
The notification states that the committee will scrutinise the complete record of Selection Board, including advertisements, eligibility criteria, shortlisting process, interview proceedings and allocation of marks. It will also examine any possible conflict of interest or undue influence, fix responsibility if irregularities are established and propose recommendations to ensure transparent and merit-based recruitment in future. The committee has been directed to submit its detailed report to the Higher Education Department within ten days.
