University of London cancels Pervez Musharraf's event

SOAS was under pressure as after least three groups threaten to protest during the event

The University of London has cancelled former president Pervaiz Musharraf’s event 'scheduled' at the campus for Thursday.

According to ANI news agency, a channel had announced that Musharraf will "answer your questions on a range of world issues, from 1999 military coup to the War on Terror and Nawaz Sharif's disqualification” at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Khalili Theatre on August 24.

However, the SOAS came under pressure after at least three groups threatened to protest during the event.

Pakistan Solidarity Campaign, a group of Pakistani activists from various progressive groups, wrote to the SOAS and launched a petition calling on the university to "immediately revoke permission" to host Musharraf.



It was told that the SOAS allowing Musharraf a platform will mean undermining the rule of law in Pakistan.

The main student union of SOAS joined the Pakistan Solidarity Campaign in announcing protest and forced the university to cancel the permission of the event.

The SOAS confirmed by issuing a statement that it had "not invited Musharraf to speak at the school and no such event is taking place here".

It confirmed that a "room booking request" was made by a student and "that the student has now in fact withdrawn the request".

The student who had applied to book the event has already withdrawn his request, SOAS added.