BKU attack: Admin threatens mass resignations if VC taken to task

Bacha Khan University to remain closed till clearance received by police, army

PESHAWAR/ CHARSADDA: In continuing criticism of the fact-finding committee’s report on the attack on Bacha Khan University, the varsity administration has threatened en masse resignations if any action is taken against the vice chancellor. The question of why no one was taken to task or held responsible over the DI Khan and Bannu prisons breaks was also raised by the registrar.



All employees of the university have criticised the report issued by the investigation committee, said BKU Spokesperson Syed Khan Khalil on Monday. He said this at a meeting held at the university where the VC, registrar, teachers and deans were present. They have decided to resign and shut down the university if the VC is taken to task over the January 20 attack, said Khalil.

Security was also discussed on the occasion. Khalil said construction work was under way in the university. He added watchtowers would be constructed and the number of guards would also
be increased.

BKU VC Dr Fazalur Rahim Marwat said it was the responsibility of the government to provide security to educational institutes and protect their citizens. He added teachers, students and untrained security guards cannot fight trained terrorists who are armed with heavy weapons.

Under such circumstances, he said, they cannot reopen the university. Marwat said, once security arrangements are complete and clearance certificates are given by the police and army, the varsity will be open for students. Till then, the university would remain closed.

Neutrality questioned

A press conference was held after the meeting. BKU Registrar Hameedullah said if any responsibility is laid on the VC for the attack then they demand those responsible for incidents like the DI Khan and Bannu jailbreaks be publicly identified and taken to task for their negligence. Hameedullah demanded 25 trained security guards for the university and said the Higher Educational Commission should be held accountable for not providing sufficient funds for the security of the varsity, although the HEC was sent applications regarding the issue.

The enquiry report was also rejected by Federation of All Public Sector Universities Administrative Officers Association Presiednt Ilyas Khan. He called it a one-sided document as “it shifted responsibility from the security in charge to the VC”. He added law enforcement agencies should have kept a check and prevented attackers from laying siege to the university.

“Some of the attackers crossed the international border and some came through tribal agencies; yet the VC is being blamed.”  Ilyas went on to question why the interior minister was not held responsible for the NADRA bomb blast in Mardan or the political agent held answerable for the Jamrud blast.



Ilyas lauded the efforts made by the varsity’s security guards, adding had the guards not fought off the attackers, many more would have been slain. He criticised the government for blaming the VC instead of praising the courage of the guards.

The president said if any action is taken against the VC they would tell the world, through peaceful protests, that teachers are not soldiers, that it is the work of law enforcement agencies to protect students and teachers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2016.