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Aitchison College Principal Michael Thompson resigns, citing political interference

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1 month ago

March 25, 2024

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Aitchison College Principal Michael Thompson resigns, citing political interference

Aitchison College Principal Michael A Thompson tendered his resignation on Monday, citing nepotism and political interference as the reasons behind his decision.

The Australian educator’s extreme step appears to have been triggered by Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman’s move to waive the tuition fees for the sons of PML-N leader Ahad Cheema.

According to media reports, Cheema’s wife had appealed to the Punjab governor to exempt her sons’ fees. Subsequently, the governor issued an order granting a three-year waiver on their fees.

“Politics and nepotism have no place in schools,” Thompson wrote in a letter issued to the college staff.

“Throughout my time as Principal, I have done my very best to protect the school’s reputation while extending compassion to those in need,” he said in the letter, adding that “there is a crucial difference between this pursuit and blatant policy manufacturing to accommodate certain individuals because such people simply insist on preferential treatment”.

Thompson asserted that “this is not how I planned to leave Aitchison”. He said that he would be stepping down from the principal’s post on April 1 and would not be playing any role in the management and admissions process.

The principal added that over the past year, “prejudiced actions by the Governor House have contributed to a breakdown of governance and management”.

“It seems incredulous to me, and quite possibly to most other people, that a school so successful can be subjected to such unwarranted interference and brazen directives. A well-intentioned foreigner does not venture to another country with less than pure intent, and nor should that person act in any way to encourage or facilitate what he considers to be wrong,” the letter detailed.

Thompson said that the letter from the Governor’s House “exonerates Mr and Mrs Cheema from paying a tuition fee under college policy for a guaranteed place after a long leave and all future parents’ requests to a maximum of three years’ leave”.

Thompson had also tendered his resignation back in September 2018, allegedly under pressure from political circles due to disciplinary action taken against some students.

According to reports, the principal faced pressure from the Board of Governors of the college to admit the son of former MNA Kashmala Tariq into A-levels after his expulsion.

However, he later withdrew his resignation after then-Punjab governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and provincial education ministers visited him to persuade him to do so.

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pakistan

Fans curious as Ranveer Singh deletes his wedding pictures

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2024

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In an unexpected turn of events, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has apparently deleted his wedding photos with wife Deepika Padukone from his Instagram account.

The famous couple is getting ready to have their first kid, which is why they made this move.

Fans have found great joy in Ranveer and Deepika’s modern romance.

In 2018, the pair exchanged vows in a secret ceremony near Lake Como, Italy, leaving a lasting impression on their followers. But their supporters are worried about recent events.

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pakistan

PTI founder says he wants to clear the air about 2014 sit-in

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2024

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PTI founder says he wants to clear the air about 2014 sit-in

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder says he is ready to face an inquiry into the 2014 sit-in.

The PTI founder, who interacted with reporters at Adiala Jail a day after the ISPR presser, said he would be happy to appear before an inquiry committee. He said the allegations levelled against him regarding the dharna (sit-in) were wrong.

He said the 2013 election was the one of returning officers (ROs).

“How can one hold dialogue with the government after the caretaker prime minister’s statement about Form 47,” he said while calling the elections of prime minister, president, Punjab chief minister and Senate bogus.

Holding out an olive branch to the powers that be, he said half of his family had men in army and half bureaucrats. “This is our army and we have no issue with it. I came to know about the May 9 violence when I appeared in the Supreme Court,” he said.

He said he condemned the May 9 violence while being in the court of Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

The army, he said, should not be dragged in politics. “We have not resorted to arson in our 27-year history,” he said.

He said the PTI dissolved two governments. It did not want violence, he added.

Significance of media talk

The PTI founder’s media talk holds significance as it comes a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry’s presser.

The ISPR once again said the perpetrators and facilitators of May 9 violence would have to face punishment in line with law and Constitution. The army, he said, had the evidence of wrongdoing.

He said May 9 was not Pakistan armed forces’ case but it was a case of all Pakistanis. An attempt was made to create hatred between the people of the country and armed forces, he said, adding that it’s essential to punish the perpetrators to keep faith in the judicial system intact.

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pakistan

Pakistan Ulema Council to observe May 10 as ‘Youm-e-Istehkam Pakistan’

Published

12 hours ago

May 8, 2024

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Pakistan Ulema Council to observe May 10 as 'Youm-e-Istehkam Pakistan'

Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi said that May 10 would be observed as “Youm-e-Istehkam Pakistan”.

He underscored the significance of this decision in enhancing Pakistan’s reputation, especially in light of the troubling events of May 9.

Also read: PTI demands judicial commission on May 9 incidents

Expressing dismay over the delay in court proceedings, Ashrafi stressed the importance of justice prevailing and urged for accountability for those liable.

He called for a thorough investigation into the troublemakers behind the unrest and advocated for unity among political parties to ensure stability.

Ashrafi also questioned the judiciary’s approach and highlighted Pakistan’s progress in attracting investment from friendly nations.

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