Rift: QAU alumni reject proposed lease deal with PIDE

ISLAMABAD: A vast majority of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) alumni rejected the proposal to handover varsity land to Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) through a lease deal.

The QAU administration has decided to lease out 17 acres to PIDE to set up a campus. The proposal has, however, faced strong opposition from many faculty members and alumni.

An online referendum was conducted on Monday by the QAU Alumni Association.

QAU Alumni Association Secretary General Murtaza Noor said that 2,924 alumni members participated in the multiplatform poll, with only 113 (4%) supporting the proposed lease, and 2,811 (96%) in opposition.

He said they would convey the results of this important opinion poll with all the stakeholders and that the next action plan would be formulated in consultation with senior alumni members, especially QAU faulty, which is a key stakeholder.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2016.