While the cat’s away: PU teachers condemn IJT’s ‘hooliganism’

Say anti-student elements are taking advantage of failure to appoint VC

LAHORE: Punjab University teachers condemned the “hooliganism” of Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) and said anti-student elements were taking advantage of the failure to appoint a vice chancellor.

Issuing this statement through a press release, they said these individuals were destroying the peaceful environment on campus.

An emergency meeting of PU teachers was held at the Al Raazi Hall of the Undergraduate Study Centre. Academic Staff Association President Professor Dr Sajid Rashid, vice presidents Professor Dr Abid Hussain Chaudhry and Dr Azhar Naeem, Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain, deans of various faculties, heads of departments and more than 250 teachers were present.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Sajid Rashid, Dr Mahboob Hussain and others said rogue elements of IJT were damaging peace and tranquility at the institution. They added police were not arresting IJT activists involved in the recent unrest on campus.

The teachers continued that IJT activists were harassing faculty members, especially women.

They claimed abusive language was used against women faculty members, which was highly condemnable. The participants said university teachers respected the courts and would accept any decisions of the LHC.

They stated some elements wanted to create a distance between the university and the government, adding teachers had to thwart any such attempt.

A recording of a threatening call to teachers from an IJT activist was also played on the speaker system.  The meeting expressed its confidence in the leadership of the Academic Staff Association.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2016.