University of Karachi. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD NOMAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI: The Karachi University Teachers' Society (KUTS), Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) and Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) held a rally on Monday to protest against the humiliation of Punjab University's (PU) former Vice-Chancellor (VC) Mujahid Kamran and other senior teachers who were brought to court in handcuffs.
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The participants marched from the Karachi University's arts lobby to the International Relations department. The teachers held banners inscribed with slogans of "respect teachers", "NAB's hooliganism will not be tolerated", "we condemn the humiliating attitude with PU vice chancellor".
Several teachers participated in the protest, including Prof Dr Jameel Kazmi, Prof Dr Mooiez, Prof Dr Osama Shafique, Prof Naveed Siddiqui, Prof Muhammad Zubair, Prof Anila Ambar, SPLA President Feroze Ahmed Siddiqui, Prof Shahid Iqbal, and others.
The former VC was accused by the Lahore National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of corruption, illegal appointments and nepotism. He was arrested and presented in court in handcuffs.
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Speaking to media, KUTS President Prof Kazmi said, "Presenting PU VC in handcuffs before the court has humiliated all teachers. He was presented before court in such a way as if he isn't an accused but a convict. Everyone should know the difference between an accused and a convict." He claimed that those who are accused aren't presented handcuffed, instead their houses are termed as sub-jails, they're free to go anywhere but a teacher on whom charges haven't been proved yet was presented in handcuffs.
In response to a question, he said that there has been a deliberate campaign to present a negative image of public universities. Public universities cater to middle-class students but the powerful elite were trying to defame the public universities to promote their private institutions.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2018.
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