CTD detains two PU faculty members, student with Sipah links

Later, one assistant professor released on VC’s intervention

LAHORE: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Lahore carried out raids Monday morning, arresting two faculty members and a student of Punjab University (PU) for their alleged association with a proscribed organisation.

According to sources, the detained men were suspected to have links with the banned outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. The three suspects are: Amir Saeed, an assistant professor of the Institute of Administration Sciences; Umar Nawaz, superintendent of hostel No.1 and assistant professor of College Institute of Technology; and Waqas Zulfiqar, 7th semester LLB (Hons) student.



However, CTD Lahore chief Maroof Safdar Wahla said they did not arrest the two professors and a student. Later, the Punjab University spokesman said Prof Umer Nawaz was released on the request of vice chancellor Kamran Mujahid.

A senior official of the university confirmed that the student was an activist of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT). However, spokesperson for IJT Amjad Bokhari denied the claim. He said Waqas Zulfiqar has never been a member or activist of IJT. Last week, CTD had arrested an assistant professor, Ghalib Ata, from his residence for his alleged links with Hizbut Tahrir.



Meanwhile, Academic Staff Association of Punjab University expressed its reservations regarding such clandestine operations for the arrest of professors from the university.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2015.