For the Academic Sessions 2000-2001 to the course of B.Sc. Engineering first. Professional class the petitioner's name appeared on the first merit list and as per notice petitioner was required to deposit the University dues on or before 14-12-2000. It is the case of the petitioner that he was out of Lahore and could not know the last date of deposit. It is claimed that petitioner came to Lahore a few days after the last date and offered to deposit the amount. The petitioner's name did not appear in the second or third merit list and as there was no response to the offer of deposit, the petitioner filed this petition for directing the respondents-department to grant admission to the petitioner after permission to deposit the dues. It has been contended by learned counsel for the petitioner that the provisions of deposit of dues by the fixed date is directory and failure to deposit would not amount to the forfeiture of the admission.
2. In its report and parawise comments the respondent has contested this position. It is stated that under the relevant provisions contained in the prospectus it is provided that if the dues are not deposited by the given date the right to admission stands forfeited and the seat thus, goes to the next person on merit.
3. During the course of hearing the argument for and against this preposition have been made.
However, this question need not be decided as it has transpired during the hearing that the period of the course is coming to an end on 15-7-2001. Even if this petition is allowed, the petitioner cannot join the course nor complete the required number of attendance of lectures. The Director Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology Professor Dr. Shafqat Nawaz is also present in person states that admission to the next course will open in November, 2001 and petitioner can validly apply. In the estimate of Shafqat Nawaz the petitioner has a good chance of admission although at the same time he stated that the admission cannot be promised. This petition in the circumstances, is disposed of with the option to the petitioner to apply for admission in the fresh course in November, 2001. It is directed that the petitioner's case for admission will be processed, in accordance with law and if possible sympathetically. No order as to costs.