PU teachers fret over IJT’s rising influence

Group told education minister not to visit campus

LAHORE: Teachers of the Punjab University (PU) expressed concern over the rising influence of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (JIT) – the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami — in the institution during Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Ali Gillani’s visit to the university on Monday.

The minister, who is also pro-chancellor of the varsity, was earlier ‘warned’ by the IJT not to visit the campus and interfere in the matters of the institution. He, however, visited the varsity and met the faculty, staff, deans, heads of departments, hostel wardens and two student groups at the university club.



On October 26, during IJT’s Haqooq-e-Talaba (students’ rights) convention at Istanbul Chowk, IJT Nazim Osama Ijaz criticised the minister who had announced that he would set up an office in the Punjab University. Ijaz warned the minister not to give dictation to the varsity because it was an autonomous institution. “Mr Gillani should not dictate the university and should stay in the secretariat. If the minister comes to the varsity, he will find it difficult to enter its premises and will find the gates of the university closed.”

The IJT would not allow any political party to use Punjab University for its politics, he said.

The minister also asked provisional Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasir, who was accompanying him during the visit, to leave the room before his meeting with the teachers.

Some people considered it a sign of strained relationship between the government and the VC. However, the minister told reporters that the VC was asked to leave because he wanted the faculty and staff to speak to him openly.

According to university sources, the teachers expressed their concerns over the rising influence of the IJT in the varsity’s affairs. They added that things could get out of control if the varsity administration and the Punjab government failed to take action.

Speaking to the faculty, staff and students, Gillani said, “We are targeting to bring five public sector universities, including the Punjab University, in top QS world university rankings in the first phase.”



Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Chairman Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin, the PU registrar, deans, directors, hostel wardens, teachers and students were present on the occasion.

The minister gave away promotion letters to recently promoted members of various faculties and called for completion of the files of the others deserving promotion. He instructed the administration to immediately promote the eligible teachers on an ad hoc basis and complete the process of their permanent promotion as early as possible.

He asked Dr Nizam to prepare a report for transferring undergraduate studies to the college level so that universities would focus on research and higher education. He also announced that the government was appointing pro-vice chancellors in all universities and filling vacant posts.

Gillani issued directives for holding meetings at the PU on the last Monday of every month to resolve the university’s issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2017.