VC refuses to meet Channar without appointment

Locks himself in a washroom for three hours

BAHAWALPUR: A shouting match between the vice-chancellor of Islamia University Bahawalpur and Cooperatives Minister Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar ended on Tuesday after the VC stormed off to a washroom and stayed there for three hours. The argument had apparently erupted because the minister had tried to seek audience with the VC without an appointment.

According to university officials, Channar had visited the IUB on Tuesday to discuss some complaints regarding a recent raise in tuition fees. However, he had not sought an appointment and was told that the vice chancellor could not meet him.

The minister became furious and said he would not leave the campus without meeting with the VC. He went to the VC’s office where the VC used strong words to reprimand him for the lack of decorum. After several minutes of arguing, the vice chancellor got up and went to the washroom where he locked himself in. Officials said that he had stayed in the washroom for three hours while Channar’s supporters got into a scuffle with the campus security guards.Police were called and all entrances to the university were closed.

The Bahawalpur commissioner called Channar to his office to discuss the matter. Channar and his posse visited him. He refused comment to the media. When journalists contacted IUB’s officials authorised to speak to media, they, too, refused comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2016.