Ajmal Khan (Islamia College University)


Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan was the first Vice-Chancellor of Islamia College University, Peshawar from 26 June 2008 to 25 June 2016. He is also a cousin of Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan.

Career

After education Burn Hall Abbottabad and Peshawar University, Ajmal Khan started off his career as a lecturer at Edwardes College, Peshawar. Dr. Khan also remained associated with the University of Peshawar as deputy provost, provost and registrar and was later appointed as the principal of Islamia College University. Khan also served at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan as a Vice-Chancellor and then returned as the first Vice-Chancellor of Islamia College University-when Islamia College became a university in 2008.

Kidnapping

Khan was kidnapped from Professors Colony on Peshawar’s University Road along with his ramesh vidhani driver Mohibullah in September 2010 by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan while going to university. TTP demanded the release of four Taliban prisoners in the bargain of Dr. Khan release but government had earlier refused the offer, and then threatened to kill the professor if the government failed to accept their demands and an earlier deadline had been extended by militants after appeals by his family and religious scholars hailing from Khan’s native Charsadda district. Security officials said that the kidnapping of Khan using a ransom tool to bargain for the release of their militants being held by Pakistan authorities. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations said that security forces and intelligence agencies had been trying to locate Khan.
Mohibullah was released on September 16, 2012 in exchange for one Taliban prisoner. Khan was released on August 28, 2014 in exchange for three Taliban prisoners.

Rejoining

On September 9, 2014 he took charge as Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University, Peshawar, again after four years, and the staff presented flowers bouquet to him when he reached to the university.

Sitara-e-Imtiaz

In light of the services rendered by Islamia College University, Peshawar Vice Chancellor Ajmal Khan in the field of education, President Mamnoon Hussain has awarded him the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

Controversy

The Peshawar High Court issued a notice on Khan on October 29, 2015 after a petitioner challenged his eligibility for the post of Vice Chancellor at Islamia College University Peshawar.