ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has yet to complete the departmental inquiry into a stolen dissertation entitled ‘The State of Madina’ (Riyasat-e-Madina) for receiving the Presidential Award.
According to details, the dissertation was stolen from the office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and submitted for the Presidential Award 2020.
The number of articles submitted by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on this title was more than 100, among which the winners included Dr. Amir Taseen and Asia Ikram and received awards. It was later revealed that the essays in the dissertation of Asia Ikram were identical word for word to Dr. Amir Taseen’s dissertation.
Relevant sources have claimed that the ministry officials have concealed all documents of Asia Ikram, including national identity card, domicile and the article submitted for the Presidential Award. The phone number that the ministry had earlier spoken to Asia Ikram is now permanently blocked.
According to the information provided by the inquiry committee so far, they did not find any evidence of submission of Asia Ikram’s dissertation nor could they get her CV, which suggests that the woman violated the rules and regulations.
Sources further claimed that efforts are being made to rescue Asia Ikram by the officers of the concerned department of the ministry. According to records obtained by M.M News, along with other awardees, Asia Ikram was invited to a regular conference in 2019.
Asia Ikram received her award at the ceremony on November 10. However, when the inquiry committee sought her record, the concerned department officials said that they did not have any picture or video recording of the woman.
Sources also claimed that Mushahid Hussain, who is in charge of Ministry’s Research Department, is saving Asia Ikram to cover up his shortcomings. The concerned department is also not cooperating with the inquiry committee, they added.
According to sources in the ministry, the committee formulated some questions pertaining to the inquiry, which were forwarded to Asia Ikram and Dr Amir Taseen. “The ministry has received a detailed reply from Dr Amir Taseen while Asia Ikram hasn’t responded yet,” sources added.
The inquiry committee has also conducted individual inquiries from all the responsible persons of the Research Department, however, no satisfactory results have been found. DG Mushahid Hussain has also refused to comment regarding Asia Ikram.
Sources in the ministry have claimed that the officers and subordinates of the Religious Ministry were involved in the case but the responsible officers had concealed the record of Asia Ikram to save their jobs.
Earlier, it was reported that Prof. Dr. Salahuddin Sani, who was expelled from Karachi Ship Owners College, appeared active in defense of the Asia Ikram. Salahuddin Sani in a statement also termed the claims of Dr Amir Taseen as false and based on slander.
Sources said that the statement of Dr. Salahuddin Sani is also being investigated on what basis he has made allegations against a reputable scholar Dr. Amir Taseen and what evidence do they have in this regard? Several attempts were made to contact Salahuddin Sani but no call was received, sources added.
