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Just what the doctor ordered: Dr Rehman Malik now better equipped to heal ailing Karachi
Some faculty members argue the decision was made without the syndicate’s approval.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad presents a PhD degree to Federal Interior MInister Rehman Malik from Karachi University. Vice Chancellor Peerzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui also presents the award. photo: inp
KARACHI: The University of Karachi conferred on Tuesday an honorary doctorate degree on Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik at a special Convocation held at Governor House.
Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, who is also the chancellor of the university, conferred the degree on Senator Abdul Rehman Malik in recognition of his “matchless services to the country in the war on terror and particularly in restoring peace to citizens of Karachi.” The ceremony was attended by the vice-chancellor of the University of Karachi, Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, and pro-vice chancellors Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi and Dr Nasiruddin Khan.
This decision has been met with condemnation from the university’s teachers and students. The president of the Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS), Dr Abid Hasnain, expressed his resentment. This is the first time ever that the administration has bypassed the syndicate in deciding an honorary degree, he said.
“The executive council of KUTS had condemned the decision in its meeting on October 8 and there is no division among the various groups of teachers in this regard,” added Dr Hasnain.
According to him, if the chancellor and vice chancellor had to act in their personal capacity, the syndicate and its meetings have become futile. He said that a syndicate meeting has not been called since March as elections were to be held to decide on members. “During that period, the vice chancellor took all the decisions in his personal capacity, which is not appropriate. Now, all such decisions will be placed as reported items at the next syndicate meeting for approval by the members.”
Dr Shakeel Farooqui, the general secretary of KUTS and president of the Karachi University Teachers Guild, was more vocal. He described the award of the honorary degree as ‘shab-i-khoon’ (an ambush) on the authority of the statutory bodies of the varsity.
“It cannot be a one-man decision, neither the chancellor nor the vice chancellor can decide on conferring an honorary degree on their own,” added Dr Farooqui.
“To follow a legality, this decision of the vice chancellor needs to be endorsed by members of the syndicate. But at the next meeting, the syndicate members will not approve of it and then this will be more embarrassing for the authorities,” warned Dr Farooqui. He also made it clear that the decision was against the will of a vast majority of faculty members.
This is not the first time KU has awarded an honorary PhD degree. In the 1990s the syndicate awarded one to Admiral Mansoorul Haq, who was allegedly involved in corruption, and faced charges by the then National Accountability Bureau.
IJT protest
Meanwhile, the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) KU chapter organised a protest demo in front of Karachi Press Club against the decision.
The IJT’s Abdul Muqtadir Ghazi said that the decision without the approval of the KU syndicate undermines the reputation of the varsity. He said that the teachers and students of KU demand of the administration withdraw its decision. They should also ban the process of giving honorary degrees on political basis. He warned that the students of KU would start a protest campaign, if the administration failed to withdraw its decision.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2011.
Reader Comments (99)
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Dr. title cannot be used if the degree is honorary.
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:O
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Dr. Abdul Rehman Malik, Esquire !
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The honorary doctorate is to the PhD as the Burger King crown is to the monarchy.
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No doubt, he is a hard working, witty, tolelerant, and fatigue-less person.
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HE DESRVES THIS HONOUR. Rather than criticizing all the time, we should appreciate what little good is now left in this country.
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Still Dr. Zulfikar Mirza for the win !!!!! :p
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I request that he should also be granted the Doctorate of Philosophy.
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Why on earth we people are so crazy about meaningless things?
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There is peace in Karachi, now that is a news headline
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@Zalmay:
Care to disagree with Dr. Rehman Malik do you?
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Congratulations Doctor ! Now, can you please use your expertise to solve the dengue problem? Thanks.
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The things which seems very cheap in the period of this government are awards and degrees…
I heard somebody saying Nishan-e-Imtiyaz is being given away free in Sabzi Mandi as a promotional offer…true???
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To “whom” and for what a “reason”…..Recommend
Doctoral degree for peace, why not nominate him for Nobel Peace Prize?
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I dont know whether to laugh or cry :|
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Though often critized for his statements and work, He has managed to bring some stability to Karachi to an extent. Congratulaton Mr. Malik You have earned it.
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Clear sign that Honorary Doctorates, like much of education, have been devalued in Pakistan!
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the year which sees the most blood shed in the city of karachi is the same year when karachi university is giving honorary degree to interior minister rehman malik ! what a mess we are in !
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Its like Noebl peace to Obama.
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I want a degree too!!!!!!!………….. I am very peaceful!!!
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Boy…standards are falling at KU
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I am ashamed to be an alumni of KU now
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It is good news that Karachi at least people after long time reached in a peaceful situation, however, what about Quetta City that Hazara minority people without any reason are targeted. Did the Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan who presented the award have considered about security “status quo” of Quetta as well.
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A place where ppl like Dr. Qadeer Khan find disgrace and, but Rehman malik… doctorate degree, welcome to Pakistani Politics!!!
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eh?? can i then get inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame too cause i am awesome at air-guitar?? LOL – its the same thing aint it??
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His excellency Dr Rehman Malik, would you kindly open the Kurram road ,to celebrate your new title.The besieged shias of Kurram are eagerly awaiting for your act of mercy.Recommend
@ Everyone : Does KU have any looong distance courses on “Peace”, looking at this article i think even i will be a Dr in no time :) :)
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its all in the game, yo’ !
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No comments.
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Next stop–> Nobel Peace prize
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Just want to know whats going on in the minds of pakistanis. Someone must take stand. Recommend
degree of peace :) what peace did he provide!!! he only sets up inquiries with no resultsRecommend
HUH.. ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH…
Its a limit now, Peace in KHI????
Ashamed Pakistani.. :(Recommend
Illogical…Peace-Karachi-Rehman Malik??? The three can’t have any sort of link with each other.
My vote is for Edhi. He didn’t bring peace but tried to cure the wounds of this city. Thank You Edhi
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Since when do you become a “Doctor” for Peace? Doctorate is only for Ph.D graduates who submitted their extensively-researched theses, this is the height of insanity and buttering!
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why don’t we award him another honour, lets paste his pic on pak rupees
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People who have lost loved ones are the ones who deserve honorary doctorate degree of patience.
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Maybe he’s the “Dr. Dre” type of doctor, haha!
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We all are stupid.. I guess Nawab Raisani is a genius man as he said
“Degree is a Degree, Real or Fake” :D..
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waste of a degree on a man who has utterly failed to bring peace to Karachi. Recommend
when people’s ability to differentiate between right and wrong fails – this is the result of things!
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Peace is evident in a supposedly world’s most dangerous city due to MQM and Rehman Malik’s efforts. No harm in giving due credit to the Interior Minister. Whoever does good for the city should be appreciated. Being a common Karachite I would further request Rehman Malik to arrest Zulfiqar Mirza under MPO act.Recommend
What ??????????????????? This is the decade of wonders. Obama got noble prize for peace and Rehman Malik got “Dr” title. Now I am confident that Sarah Palin is the next president of United States. Its all pink from now on. Recommend
it is strange , is it not that doctrate’s degree was awarded to rehman malik in a function held in sindh governor house. why this function was not held in university campus. is it because of security reason. if its true then rehman malik can not take the credit of restoring peace in karachi and there is no justification to award this degree to reman malik.
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To all pessimists: Cheer-Up, it’s not the end of the world. Some “in comments” have to back to their “peaceful” land. Karachi is seeing peace for what has been going on in July & August. @Indian Hindu, your’e not going to get anything here rest- aside a hon. degree. Making any comments but with “hard work” is still better than hostile threats, that’s what the degree is about.Recommend
Now he can sit on equal ground with Dr Zulfiqar Mirza!!
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Bravo!!Ofcourse He deserves PhD given to him by Dr.Ishrat ul Ibad because he has been protecting and preserving the MQM interests.Further more, if he is awarded PhD for so called peace efforts,despite the fact that thousands of innocent people have been killed in Karachi and else where in Pakistan.Then I think Talibans and Ajmal Phari like people should also be given PhD.
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Shame shame! what a shame
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Mr. Malik is being awarded for his services to …… we all know whom. Today I am ashamed to have a Masters from the Karachi University.
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HAHAHA
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Pakistanis are getting funnier each day.
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This is HILARIOUS :D
while we are at it Now pigs should fly :D
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that is the great jock of the century please governer
one digree for wasan that is his dreame.
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it is enough uh now i am bursting.
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Land of surprises!
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restoring PEACE to citizens of Karachi.
I love it!!! lol
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m a lower middle class student of karachhi university BS computer sc. I m facing prb in ma studies therefore I humbly request to the “MASSIAH OF 98% MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE” MR. Altaf Hussain to plz order mr Ibad plz plz plz award a BS degree to me .. I shall be very grateful to u…………..Regardz….. (A middle class student)
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What a Shame. Karachi University Students Association should protest officially and force the KU administration to withdraw this doctorate degree. MQM Governor who happens to be the KU Chancellor is playing politics with this this. People from all walk of life in Karachi should strongly come out and protest on this. KU is not MQM property.
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in recognition of his “matchless services to the country in the war on terror and particularly in restoring peace to citizens of Karachi.
Most memorable script in the article. This will make me laugh for lifetime.
“Hum nay Dacter banany ka targat achieve ker lia hy”
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I think only one thing can stop such incidents that obviously make people like Muhammad Hassan to said that they ashamed to have degree from KU and that thing is REVOLUTION against all the dynasties and all the old fashioned political parties who are ruling your country for their own taste but not for the people.
But this revolution can not in incurred right now becaues as per current situation of Pakistan poor people dont have enough capacity to come out on roads, middle class dont have time for it and elite class dont want to do this because they are happy with their life styles.
UTTHO JAGO PAKISTAN!!!
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hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
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Congrats, doctor, Your first mission should be to eradicate Dengue mosquitoes from Pind especially residing in Raiwand Palace. Aho :)
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For a change, let him start by doing 16 hours of social work a day in the worst flood affected parts of his constituency. The expenses should be borne out of his own pocket, exclusively. Then and only then will some semblance of sanity be restored in him.
Hatred for a fellow human is not what our Prophet (SM) left behind for the world. Salams. Recommend
Dr. Albert Einstein
e=mc^2
Dr. Rehman Malik
Apple=Banana
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@Zaki Khalid:
But he has researched and produced a thesis titled “I HAVE TAKEN NOTICE!
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AHHAHAAHHAH!!!!
KU has certinly lost its prestige after this foolish decision, and so has the degree of PHD!!
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@Imran Khan:
Appreciated your comments. Get back degreeRecommend
There is no more comments after 10 hours ago. I assume comments should across in thousand. It is burning issue for the nation…………..
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Bravo Dr.Rehman Malik…Let,us wait for sizzling remarks of Dr.Zulfiqar Mirza now.
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He has been given degree, in a ‘Private Ceremony’! Haha!
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This degree should do wonders for Karachi University’s credibility!
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Dr. Chulbul Malck
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What a joke with education & educationist by awarding such a Honorable degree
no justification
May Allah bless us with broad vision to chose right & wrong
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@Tanzeel:
and also those who are responsible from 1984 and destroyed the peace of city and made us hostages, so no one can freely say at least a word against them.
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Given him another degree of Doctorate in deal making on his efforts on NRO
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Effing epic I tell you.
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Has he done a bachelors?Recommend
@ishtiaer hussain:
Ha! Ha! Ha! that is HaHaHa with Capital H.. I love your peculiar taste in humor buddy..
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Mr Malik had a since move to get PhD at the right time. i must say he knows what public demand is and that’s what he is delivering to Karachi Recommend
In pakistan who needs digree to rule we all ways say they got digrees Via Batenda punjab
there way to Lahore.
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As much as it’s all meant for show.. Where did this come from? How the topic of Malik being given degree even came to a debate table is seemingly beyond me.
I’m not even saying that with a positive/negative judgment of the man. It really is just… Random.Recommend
The chancellor should not have bypassed the syndicate and should be reprimanded by the body supervising the Karachi University Administration. The second point is that an honorary degree is well known to be a degree not earned. To put it in plain words it is a fake degree.
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If Rahman Malik is a doctor, then I am Isaac Newton
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I am going to burn my Phd degree now
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But why he said “Apple” a “Bannana”?
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LOL. The biggest joke of the history.
Why Altaf Bhai wasn’t awarded the same degree for his telephonic addresses while on self-styled exile in London.
Hina
Canada
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Listen don’t worry, Im sure he’s taken notice of this as well.
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Ashamed Recommend
No comments…….
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In recognition of his services for protecting the interests of MQM and international actors operating in Karachi.
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I don’t know the specialty of Dr Malik’s dgree but I think he surely deserves one in “Botany with Specialty in Taxonomy” for naming and re-naming various fruits.
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People like only commenting but no one is willing take stands against these culprits… We are youth, can do anything.. ;) but lets sleep for few more days..
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Kinda reminds me of Mr. Mel Brooks in one of his sself – made movies in which he plays the Governor in a robe….
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Jamshed Dasti will be the Next Honorary Doctor from KU…
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It’s the equivalent of a Women’s rights award to King Fahd.
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The reason given for the degree was:
“Mr Malik’s efforts against terrorism and valuable help in maintaining law and order in karachi are known to everyone”
U got that right dude, just as veena malik’s efforts for bringing pakistan an india closer are known to everyone, and Zardari’s efforts for helping the flood affectees are known to everyone! I am reminded of the good ole Albert Einstein:
“Two things are infinite, the univrse and human stupidity. And I’m not sure about the former!”
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what an entertainment…. comments on this site made me laugh so long and loud that tears are coming out from my eyes……..a real life joke of this year……………………………………………………….. Dr. Albert Einstein, e = mc^2
Dr. Rehman Malik, Apple = Banana.
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honor in which terms to be in politics ??
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