Aitchison College principal resigned over governor's interference

Aitchison College principal Michael Thompson resigned due to political interference with his official duties. It came when Federal Minister Ahad Cheema’s family requested to waive the fee over the holidays due to their relocation to Islamabad.

However, Michael Thompson denied this request. Meanwhile, the Punjab Governor House Secretariat used their authority to issue a notification to waive the fee.

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The resignation came after Punjab Governor Balig-ur-Rehman allegedly directed the principal to waive the fees of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema’s sons, Esa and Mustafa Ahad Cheema.

Following that, the Aitchison College principal Michael Thompson resigned. He also said he would leave Pakistan in protest. In a letter, Michael Thompson stated that politics and suggestions have no place in schools since the powers are overused to favor a few people.

According to Michael, the Governor’s House decisions created a problem in the administrative affairs of Aitchison College. He could not think of unnecessary interference in a famous prestigious school in Pakistan. Hence, he announced he would leave the principal post on April 1st. He also would stay away from administrative affairs.

However, SAMAA TV claimed Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman told them in an exclusive chat that Aitchison College fee waiver for children of Federal Minister Ahad Cheema has pushed the matter of fee waiver in Aitchison to the forefront in a new light.

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Baligh-ur-Rehman said he waived the fee for Ahad Cheema’s children because they did not attend Aitchison College. Ahad Cheema and his wife relocated to Islamabad. The children had finished their education in Aitchison.

Hence, they waived the charge notice even though their children were no longer enrolled at Aitchison College. They had moved to Islamabad. Moreover, Punjab Governor Baligh-ur-Rehman is implementing legislation to prevent charging fees after a student leaves school.

Michael Thompson was the eighteenth principal of Aitchison College. He resigned after his eight-year career.