Faculty association: Conference invite seen as rigging attempt

Former JI ameer urged not to visit PU campus on election day.

LAHORE: The Punjab University Teachers Front has objected to extension of an invitation to former Jamaate Islami ameer Qazi Hussain Ahmed to a Seerat Conference scheduled for February 29 – the day PU faculty is to cast ballots to elect new office bearers of the Academic Staff Association.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the PTUF asked the former JI ameer to refrain from visiting to the campus on the day.

The Front also requested him to use his influence with the IJT to stop the latter’s hooliganism on the campus. It alleged that the conference and Ahmed’s presence as chief guest appeared to be Mehr Saeed group’s attempt to tilt the election outcome in their favour.

The Front also alleged that Mehr Saeed group had organised the conference in collusion with the Islami Jamiat Talaba.

“They realise they cannot win the election fair and square. The conference has been organised to create a law and order situation and prevent a decent turn out,” the statement said.

Prof Mehr Saeed, the Punjab University Academic Staff Association chairman, said that his group had nothing to do with the conference.

“We have not organised the conference or invited Qazi Hussain Ahmed to attend it,” he said. “I am too busy with the campaign to hold such events,” he said.

Polling for the ASA elections will take place on February 29 at the Waheed Shaheed Hall at the PU new campus.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2012.