Principal Aitchison College asked to waive off fees by governor Punjab, resigns

Michael A. Thomson, the Principal of Lahore’s renowned Aitchison College, has stepped down from his role due to disagreements with the Punjab Governor.

In a resination letter addressed to his staff, Thomson raised concerns about government officials meddling in college affairs, citing instances where such interference negatively impacted college management.

Thomson’s resignation stemmed from policy changes that appeared to favor certain individuals, leading to what he termed as ‘poor governance’. He pointed out his decision was influenced by the mental strain resulting from conflicts with the governor, particularly regarding the waiving of fines for a federal minister’s children.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining educational institutions free from political influence and nepotism, Thomson expressed astonishment at the level of interference in college matters.

It’s noteworthy that Thomson had previously tendered his resignation in 2018 but retracted it following persuasion from then-governor Muhammad Sarwar.

Cheema’s sons were not studying there: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Cheema’s sons were not studying in Aitchison College for three years.

“When your kids are not studying [in a college] then you are not bound to pay the fees,” he added.

Tarar said that the Cheema family wrote an application as per rules and laws, according to which, Cheema’s kids were not studying the college.

“A wrong picture is being painted and [truth will come out] after reviewing the report,” he added. “It is not like that the kids were studying there and they were not paying the fees.”

Tarar said that Cheema’s children had shifted to Islamabad and were studying there. He added that the governor made the decision as per the law.

Punjab Governor stance

In response, Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman clarified the situation concerning the fee waiver for Federal Minister Ahad Cheema’s children. He clarified that the waiver was granted because the children had stopped attending Aitchison College and had moved to Islamabad. Despite this, they received a fee notice, which was subsequently waived.

Ahad Cheema and his wife shifted to Islamabad, the children had discontinued their education in Aitchison.

They waived the fee notice they received despite their children not studying at Aitchison College and shifting to Islamabad.

The Governor is making a law not to charge fees after any student leaves school.