12 Punjab University teachers ‘go missing’ after receiving millions in PhD scholarships

At least 12 professors of Lahore’s Punjab University (PU) have gone missing after receiving millions of rupees in PhD scholarships abroad, it has emerged.

According to reports, varsity administration has decided to write a letter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other authorities concerned to recover funds from the teachers who did not rejoin service after completing their degrees in foreign countries.

Of the total 56 faculty members who were awarded substantial amounts, reports said, at least 12 had failed to return and resume their duties.

The varsity, it was reported, will now also be writing to Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to block the identity cards and passports of the absconding teachers.

As per the agreement, these faculty members were obligated to serve at the university for at least five years post-PhD. Failure to do so requires them to repay the full scholarship amount, varsity administration said.

The names of the absconding teachers and the respective amounts they owe have also been released by a PU spokesperson, which are as follows:

Farah Sattar (GIS Centre): Rs7 million  

Syed Mohsin Ali (GIS Centre): Rs14 million  

Kiran Ayesha (Institute of Administrative Sciences): Rs10 million  

Rabia Ibad (Department of MMG): Rs9 million  

Khawaja Khurram Khurshid (IQTM): Rs8.4 million  

Shumaila Ishaq (Hailey College of Commerce): Rs16.1 million  

Usman Raheem (Centre for Coal Technology): Rs7.2 million  

Salman Aziz (College of Engineering): Rs9 million  

Muhammad Nawaz (GIS): Rs7.2 million  

Javeria Iqbal (PUCIT): Rs6 million  

Seemab Ara (Administrative Sciences): Rs10 million  

Samia Mahmood: Rs11.6 million  

PU has also officially dismissed all defaulters from service.