University of Peshawar. PHOTO: fb.com/UoP
PESHAWAR: An interactive session was held at a hotel in the city on Saturday to eliminate misperceptions regarding security arrangements at University of Peshawar.
The event was organised by Aitebaar, a non-profit organisation, in collaboration with the journalism and mass communication department.
A large number of students from all four universities at the campus as well as campus police officials participated and shared their views regarding campus security with each other.
Through a series of theatrical performances, students highlighted the psychological impact triggered by security concerns of educational institutes. The skits demonstrated some of the weaknesses and positive aspects of the police and also provided an avenue for students to voice their grievances.
Speaking on the occasion, campus police official Hamidullah Afridi said students often misbehave with the police.
“The police are simply doing their duty and if students do not cooperate, they can never know who is right and who is not,” he added. Afridi said students often return to university late at night and police are reluctant to let them enter due to security reasons.
“After the Army Public School and Bacha Khan University attacks, we have been directed to make university security strong which was impossible without the support of students.”
He appreciated the university and Aitebaar for arranging an interactive session to enlighten the police about their weaknesses and drawbacks.
Need for a platform
Aitebaar Media and Liaison Officer Amjad Qamar told The Express Tribune the aim of the session was to provide an interactive arena where students, police and civil society members can share their views and cooperate on key issues.
“The voice of the youth is routinely excluded from security and justice agendas,” he said. “But it holds importance and helps us determine what is important to them.”
Qamar added Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police has improved significantly after a series of changes were introduced.
He also lauded the impressive participation of everyone, particularly performances rendered by students.
Pointing fingers
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Obaid Khan, a student of University of Agriculture, said students have several complaints with campus police that need to be addressed.
“Police often use harsh language and treat students badly,” he said. “Police should respect and encourage them to take care of the institution’s security.”
Obaid added police do not allow students to attend events and use the main entrance at the varsity at night or in cases of emergencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2016.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ