The Sindh government has ordered a top-priority inquiry into alleged financial and administrative irregularities within the Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Pakistan (ATUP), following a formal complaint accusing the organisation’s leadership of serious misgovernance.
According to an official communication issued by the Sindh school education and literacy department, a copy of which is available with The News, a complaint filed by Dr Shafiq Ahmed, senior member of the ATUP, has prompted the authorities to launch an investigation into the affairs of the historic literary institution.
In a letter dated June 10, the education department directed the Director (Literacy and Non-Formal Education)/Chairman, Quality Assurance Committee to examine the allegations and submit a detailed report. The matter was categorised as ‘top priority’.
The complainant alleged a series of grave irregularities involving the current administration and board of governors of the ATUP, having its main office in Karachi. The complaint includes delays in holding the general body meeting and organisational elections, and questions the legal legitimacy of the current administration. It also alleges unconstitutional appointments; illegal designation of an acting general secretary, failure to prepare financial accounts, violations of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules, payment of unauthorised honorariums, neglect of the organisation’s core literacy and educational objectives, and concerns over the decline of an institution regarded as a significant part of the country’s literary and cultural heritage.
The education department has instructed the Quality Assurance Committee to thoroughly review the complaint, conduct an inquiry and furnish a comprehensive report without delay. Copies of the directive have also been forwarded to the office of the Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy, the secretary of the school education and literacy department, and the honorary secretary of the ATUP.
The organisation’s management has been formally advised to cooperate with the inspection team and provide all relevant information and documents during the course of the inquiry. When The News contacted ATUP President Wajid Jawad for the ATUP’s version, he said the elections for the ATUP were round the corner and the complaint was filed as a tactic by a rival group to tarnish the incumbent administration’s reputation. He said the allegations levelled against the administration were frivolous and the ATUP would easily defend itself before any inquiry.
