Up in arms: KMU students appeal against relocation to another institute

Say MoU signed by varsity’s officials should be withdrawn immediately

PESHAWAR: Students from Khyber Medical University’s Institute of Paramedical Sciences have appealed they should not be relocated to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) Para Medical Institute.

They said a memorandum of understanding signed to this effect by KMU’s administration should immediately be withdrawn.

Students addressed a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday. According to them, they had gained admissions at KMU and have been studying at the university for four years. However, the administration has signed an MoU whereby it was agreed that the students will be shifted to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) Para Medical Institute.



They said Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) Para Medical Institute is situated near Duranpur, an area on the outskirts of the provincial capital. The students have a number of concerns. These include reservations about security as KMU was located at a safer location.

“We met the vice chancellor and he assured us that our concerns will be resolved but we will not back off unless a written agreement is produced, since a verbal assurance has no value” Shakirullah, a KMU student said.

He added the institute started functioning in 2012 and 800 students from four batches are currently enrolled at the university. According to Shakirullah, the health ministry, secretariat and the university administration should immediately withdraw the MoU.

Moreover, Karwan, a welfare organisation, held a protest outside Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday and demanded that relevant authorities to take action against corruption. The protesters also shouted slogans against corruption.

The protesters told journalists there are laws to curb corruption but not even a single person has been arrested under them. They added people involved in corruption were protected by the parliament.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2016.