KU’s ever-crumbling security

Broken boundary walls lay in ruin at various spots

KARACHI:

Observers have pointed out that the administration of the University of Karachi (KU) has put the lives of students, teachers and employees at stake due to its alleged negligence in terms of security arrangements.

The current administration of the university is transitional as most key positions, including the security adviser, have been changed by the vice chancellor, who herself is working on an acting in-charge basis. The university's security department is unable to come up with any concrete strategies or measures to protect students and teachers.

The boundary walls of the varsity are broken from at least six different places and poses a serious threat of an attack like the one which took place earlier this week. It has also been learnt that most of the CCTV cameras have become inoperable due to lack of maintenance. As a result, investigation agencies cannot trace the movement of the accomplice of the suicide bomber.

It is being reported that the boundary wall of the university is broken in several places within a kilometer-long radius. As a result, unauthorised people, criminals and terrorists can enter the campus without being noticed by security.

The administration of the university has not even deployed special security staff at these points of major security risk. One vulnerable place, with a broken boundary wall, is in front of the PCSIR laboratory. Similarly, the boundary wall from Madras Chowk to Metroville Gate, bordering the university, is also broken by several feet at many points.

It is noteworthy that several years ago, HEC had released tens of millions of rupees to Karachi University for security arrangements. The fund was to repair broken walls and erect watch towers at various locations.

In addition, cameras were to be installed at key locations with the grant. However, even after many years, the broken walls of Karachi University have not been repaired nor have watchtowers been built for vigilance.

On the other hand, most of the cameras, which were installed after the tender, were damaged due to lack of maintenance. The university administration did not pay any attention to this and investigating agencies are facing obstacles in their probe of the attack on Chinese teachers.

Sources at KU say almost all the cameras at Pharmacy Chowk are out of order, making it difficult for the authorities to check the route taken by the facilitators of the suicide bomber. They add that a meeting on security issues was being held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the acting vice chancellor.

During the meeting, the security advisor of Karachi University argued it is not the responsibility of the staff to check the cards of students coming to KU. He said that inspection of ID cards is the responsibility of the student adviser's office.

The Express Tribune tried to contact the Acting Vice Chancellor Nasira Khatun to gain an understanding of her position on the security loopholes, but she did not respond to calls or messages.

Acting VC takes stock

Meanwhile, the Karachi University Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasira Khatun on Thursday visited entry and exit gates of Karachi University, along with Acting Registrar Dr Maqsood Ali Ansari, Campus Security Adviser Dr Muhammad Zubair and his team.

The VC inspected the CCTV cameras installed at various places, corridors and main entrances, while reviewing the situation of the campus boundary wall. The VC also reviewed security arrangements at the campus and issued instructions to take every possible step to ensure that security remains foolproof.

She directed that the patrolling system within the campus be made more efficient and security arrangements at entrances and exits should be tightened.

Dr Nasira Khatun further said that the purpose of the visit was to provide information on the security issue and arrangements at the university to the federal and provincial governments as well as the Higher Education Commission. She said that letters would be issued to the federal, provincial governments and HEC, detailing the security requirements and plan of KU.

It is to be noted that the federal and provincial governments, as well as, HEC assured of all possible cooperation to improve the security of KU after the recent suicide attack.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2022.