Swat University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Farooq Khan and Dr Ajmal Khan was killed by militants and Vice-Chancellor of Islamia College University, Peshawar was kidnapped by militants last month.
The teachers demanded of the government to make arrangements for the early and safe recovery of Dr Khan before Eidul Azha.
Wearing black arm bands, the teachers chanted slogans against the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and federal governments for failing to arrest the killers of the scholar and recovery of the VC.
The day was observed on the call of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations.
Dr Eitzaz Ahmad, president, and Dr Gulraiz Akhtar, secretary-general, of the Quad-i-Azam University Teachers Association, expressed their dismay at the apathy of the authorities who ‘miserably failed’ to trace the whereabouts of Dr Khan.
They also condemned the attitude of the K-P government, especially Governor Amir Haider Khan Hoti, who is also the Chancellor of the Islamia College University for failing to trace the VC.
Dr Gulraiz Akhtar said that academicians are performing a noble duty and kidnapping them in broad daylight, without any reason, was against the values and norms of any society. He urged the authorities to ensure the security of the teaching community in vulnerable areas.
He appealed the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan and Governor and Chief Minister of K-P to ensure the safety and security of academicians and provide the kind of security to all the teachers as was being provided to ministers.
Teachers of NUML University, Allama Iqbal Open University, and other universities also passed resolutions expressing their solidarity with the kidnapped VC and urging the government to take urgent steps for his early and safe recovery.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2010.
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