PSTU Registrar Served Show-Cause Notice Over Letter to President

An administrative controversy has arisen at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) after a letter was sent to the President without the Vice-Chancellor’s approval. The university administration issued a show-cause notice to Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman on Tuesday (10 March) over alleged violations of official procedures.

The notice, signed by Deputy Registrar Md. Shahjalal under the instruction of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam, asks the registrar to submit a written explanation by 11 March 2026.

Sources at the Vice-Chancellor’s office said the letter, sent on 9 March, bypassed established administrative procedures. According to PSTU rules, any communication to the President requires preparation of a formal file, administrative verification, and final approval from the Vice-Chancellor before the Registrar can issue it.

The issue is linked to the promotion of Associate Professor ABM Saiful to professor, approved in PSTU’s 57th Regent Board meeting. Allegations suggest that Saiful and several officials prepared the forwarding letter without following proper procedures and pressured the registrar to sign it. Some supporting documents have reportedly been shared with reporters.

Contacted for comment, Registrar Dr. Habibur Rahman admitted the irregularities.

“The letter sent to the President did not follow proper administrative procedures. I made a mistake and the matter has been reported to the relevant ministry,” he said.

He added that the situation was unusual and that he faced pressure from some university officials, though he declined to name them.

“The matter did not occur under completely normal circumstances… You will know the full details soon,” he said.

Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kazi Rafiqul Islam confirmed the registrar informed him on 10 March that he was compelled to sign the letter.

“If the registrar provides a written statement naming those involved, I will take departmental action against them,” he said.

The university administration is now reviewing the case, and investigations are underway to determine the next steps.