Tensions still rife: PU book fair postponed yet again

Officials say new date will be announced at later time.

LAHORE: The Punjab University administration has once again postponed its annual three-day book fair which was scheduled to start from April 27, 2017. Officials said a new date would be announced later.

This is the second time the PU administration postponed the book fair, which was originally to be held April 6 to 8.

However, the administration delayed the event due to clashes between the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) and Pakhtun Education Development Movement (PEDM) student groups. On April 20, Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir announced new dates of the annual book fair and it was again postponed on Monday.

According to security officials of the varsity, the decision was taken as there were fears of another clash on campus. The official added the PU administration did not want to risk another incident.

Tensions continue on campus

On Sunday evening, the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) claimed that one of their leaders, Nazim Osama Ejaz, was attacked near the hostels. The IJT said that he was shot at by two motorcyclists as he was returning to his hostel room on campus. The IJT took to the streets late Sunday to protest against the reported attack. However, the PU administration and police denied any incident of firing.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2017.