Faculty members at the Lahore University of Management Sciences have opposed the Vice Chancellor Arshad Ahmed’s decision to sack Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Farhat Haq who had objected the removal of Law School Faculty dean Sadaf Aziz.

Dawn.com reported that 130 faculty members signed a letter to the VC demanding he withdraw the termination of Dr. Haq, as it appears without cause and has violated her dignity and respect.

The letter mentioned how the lack of due process would damage the sanctity of LUMS' appointments and its ability to recruit and retain quality faculty and administrators.

Dr. Haq was appointed as LUMS’ provost last fall, becoming the first female to hold the position at the university. The sacking of the first female senior administrator shows the university discriminates based on gender, the letter stated.

Dawn cites sources as saying the VC had asked Dr. Haq to fire Law School Faculty dean Sadaf Aziz so a foreigner could be hired for the post. Dr. Haq, however did not agree and instead demanded that Ms. Aziz’s salary be increased and be brought to par with that of her male counterparts. This caused the VC to remove Dr. Haq from her position on the same day, according to Dawn.

“I am writing to inform you that Dr. Farhat Haq will no longer be the provost and has moved on from LUMS. I would like to thank DR. Haq for her many contributions and commitment to LUMS,” said the VC in his email to the university as reported by the Friday Times.

The email didn’t state the reason for her removal.

Faculty members want the university council to share the process and reveal the reason behind Dr. Haq’s dismissal. In case it fails to that, Dr. Haq is to be reinstated immediately.

Social media users are calling out the university for firing multiple female staff and faculty members in a single year.