BKU VC, security head blamed for lapse

Say administration, govt knew about ‘imminent threat’

PESHAWAR/ CHARSADDA:

The vice chancellor and the person in charge of security at Bacha Khan University (BKU) in Charsadda have been blamed by district officials for the security lapse which led to the death of 21 people on January 20.

This was said during a crisis conference held at a hall in Charsadda on Tuesday to discuss the security situation in the district. The moot was attended by Charsadda DC Tahir Zafar Abbasi, DPO Suhail Khalid, nazims of three tehsils and a large number of district councillors.



Participants at the meeting claimed only four of the 55 security personnel were on duty at the time of the attack. They insisted the culprits be taken to task to set an example for others. According to the district councillors, the militants managed to carry out the attack even though the government and the security forces were aware of an impending attack. They criticised the provincial government for failing to provide security and maintaining peace in the region.

During the conference, the provincial government, BKU’s VC and security head were criticised for their inability to avert the attack.

Private vs state in the city

While meetings are being held and statements are being made a large number of schoolteachers in Peshawar have voiced reservations about security arrangements.

Azizullah Khan, a teacher at an institute in Gulbahar, said the administration of his school has not received funds to improve security. “The government has provided one gun for two guards deployed at the school’s gate,” he said.

“Following the Charsadda attack, I carry a pistol when I leave for school,” said Liaquat Ali, a teacher in Daudzai. “There is a looming fear I might not return home.”



Kamran Khurram, a teacher at a school in Cantt, said Army Public School and Bacha Khan University attacks resulted in uncertainty and fear.

“Students cannot stay in school grounds and all teachers have weapons in hands,” he said. “This tense situation has greatly affected education.”

According to Rifaqat Ali, a teacher in Mathra, the administration lacks funds to purchase guns and CCTV cameras.

However, the Peshawar district government has constituted a committee to ensure security at private schools in the city. The forum will be headed by Peshawar naib nazim Syed Qasim Ali Shah.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune, owners of private schools, representatives from the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education and police officials will be part of the committee. The committee will coordinate with the provincial government to guarantee security and monitor such arrangements across the district.



At a meeting at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday, private schools owners said they had been harassed by the police even though they had received clearance certificates.

Security plans

Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has directed vice chancellors of public sector universities to improve security arrangements. This was stated in a handout issued on Tuesday. According to the document, Mehtab put forward his demand during a meeting with VCs of all universities across the province. The governor urged VCs to take steps to ensure police perform duties at the universities in an effective manner. “They should be taken to task in case of any negligence on their part,” read the handout.

Participants also devised a plan to overcome financial hurdles in ensuring security at universities.

“Mehtab directed VCs to focus on education and [put an] end to political activities at universities,” stated the document.



According to the handout, Mehtab directed the relevant authorities to contact the K-P chief secretary to train staff at universities. “They should take the Higher Education Commission and provincial government in the loop to resolve financial problems faced by institutions,” read the handout.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2016.