On tenterhooks: Violence feared at PU annual book fair

Students and faculty doubt administration’s ability to curb the menace.

LAHORE: The Punjab University is all set to organise its annual book fair from April 27 to April 29 after it was initially postponed due to the unrest on campus. However, the faculty and students fear fresh violence.

PU had earlier announced the annual three-day book fair from April 6 to 8, 2017. In this regard, a high level meeting, chaired by PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, was held to review arrangements.

Deans of various faculties and members of the book fair committee were present. The meeting was briefed on various measures being taken to organise the book fair. On March 21, a cultural event organised by the Pakhtun Education Development Movement (PEDM) was attacked and 30 students were left injured. The unrest caused the administration to indefinitely postpone the annual event.

Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir again announced the annual fair to mark World Book Day on April 20. The VC said multinational companies must come forward to promote book reading culture and fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.

He announced that the administration would hold the book fair from April 27 to April 29. The VC added the university would award a special prize to the person who writes the most book reviews. He stated the varsity would also consider the student for the roll of honour.

Despite the administration’s enthusiasm over arranging the annual book fair, faculty and students who spoke to The Express Tribune expressed concerns over the management’s lax behaviour with political groups and its ability to control violence on campus.

A faculty member, requesting anonymity, said the failure of the administration to curb different groups’ activities was evident. He said Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) carried on with their activities despite the ban.

“Now the IJT has been holding meetings for the book fair,” he added.

Students on campus also shared similar views as one  of them, who identified himself as Jabbar, said chances of violence were high.

In a statement, the IJT said it had organised a meeting to discuss the 33rd book fair of the Punjab University. IJT’s Nazim Osama Ejaz, while speaking at a meeting, said the IJT had introduced the book fair at universities. He said the student body, over the next two days, would assign responsibilities to members at the PU book fair.

When contacted, PU spokesman Khurram Shahzad said that no student organisation would be allowed to interfere with the administrative affairs of the book fair. He said high level security arrangements would be ensured during the three-day event. Khurram stated the PU administration had announced the fair to promote reading culture and provide opportunities to buy books at discounted rates.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2017.