SU support movement: SPLA demands removal of education minister

The association has decided to launch a movement called ‘Save Education’, if Haq was not removed.

KARACHI:

While the standoff at the Sindh University (SU) between its faculty and administration remained at an impasse, the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) have demanded the removal of the education minister, Pir Mazharul Haq, from his post.

The SPLA spokesperson, Professor Iftikhar Muhammad Azmi, told The Express Tribune on Sunday that the association has decided to launch a movement called ‘Save Education’, throughout the province if Haq was not removed. The meeting of the central executive council will take place on March 1 to plan the protest movement.

“Since the time of his appointment, Haq’s behaviour with the teachers has been despicable,” said Azmi. “But his treatment of the SU teachers has been worse - it has been shameful and criminal.”

According to Azmi, faculties members at various universities have already launched a protect drive for their demands.

A press release was also issued by the SPLA president, Professor Mirza Athar Hussain, and the general secretary, Professor Muhammad Siddique Unar. “During the tenure of Pir Mazharul Haq, the education department has been facing unprecedented corruption and turmoil,” states the press release. “Haq regards the teachers as his peasantry and we still receive threats from him.”

The statement also mentions the education minister’s coordinator, Naveed Zuberi, for his alleged misbehaviour with a female colleague, principals and teachers. “The hoodlums, who remain at the education minister’s office, bully the principals and teachers as if we are their personal servants.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2012.