Pakistan

Mama Qadeer talk cancelled on govt orders: LUMS

LUMS says it is committed to working with government to find a way to allow the university to hold analytical talks

Web Desk April 09, 2015

Mama Qadeer. PHOTO: FILE

The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has broken its silence over the cancellation of Mama Qadeer's talk, ‘Un-silencing Balochistan’, saying the talk was cancelled on orders from the government.

“…Under the re-mapping justice series, an event scheduled at LUMS for the 9th of April 2015 had to be cancelled on orders from the government, which was most unfortunate indeed,” read the statement issued by LUMS on Friday.

The statement adds that LUMS is committed to working with the government to find a way to allow the university to hold analytical talks on various topics that need to be debated in an objective and unbiased manner.

Read: LUMS cancels talk featuring Mama Qadeer

“We are proud that all such discussions have taken place in an academic environment that is collegial and respectful of all citizens, as well as diverging points of view,” says the university statement.

The talk featuring guest speakers such as Mama Qadeer, activist Mohammed Ali Talpur, Human Rights Corporation Pakistan director I A Rehman, among others was to be moderated by Rashid Rahman, the editor of Daily Times.

COMMENTS (13)

Awais Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Transfer this seminar to Government College University Lahore.Government will not going to cancel seminar on university from where they studied.

ilyas | 9 years ago | Reply And don't forget these criminals burnt down Quaid e Azam residency in Ziarat and regularly fire at passenger trains killing and injuring paasengers.

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Adam | 9 years ago | Reply @Blunt: Which "Shareef" are we thanking here???

Salman - SK | 9 years ago | Reply Baloch people are looking for the right of self-governance and protection from human rights abuses perpetrated by Pakistani establishment. Sure, Sheikh Mujeeb and Maulana Bhashani were labeled as "Indian agents-provocateur" too, and tried for treason in Agartala Conspiracy case, for asking for the fundamental democratic rights for their province. And, before them Faiz Ahmed Faiz was tried for pretty much the same charges. Failure to listen to them resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. LUMS is attended by some of the brightest students and is located in the heart of Punjab. Students would have gotten an opportunity to hear Baloch grievances first-hand and would have asked incisive questions to make up their minds independently. To muzzle voices of dissent only delays justice but does not end the tempest forever.

Blunt | 9 years ago | Reply Thanks to Mr. Sharif. It is now proving how independent and autonomous are, even our private institutions.

Jibran | 9 years ago | Reply I want to know what pressure has the government applied on LUMS to cancel the seminar. I mean legally the government has no jurisdiction over LUMS. there has to be some arm twisting.

Hopeful | 9 years ago | Reply Those criticizing Mama Qadeer and labeling him an 'Indian agent' should do their research and understand the hardships the him and the Baloch go through. If you do not respect them like Pakistanis, you will only alienate them further.

straightshooter | 9 years ago | Reply Its not cancer...its just a deep, smelly, festering sore; has been there for so many years. No need to see a doctor, no need to even examine it myself. I know if I don't look at it, it will surely go away. Inshallah of course.

ilyas | 9 years ago | Reply If these defunct Baloch outfits deserve to be invited to LUMS than TTP should also be invited to defend the killing of children in Peshawer. How one can differentiate between killing of children by TTP and killing of Punjabi laborers on many occasion by these Balochs in Balochistan.

khalidmurad1 | 9 years ago | Reply All such Indian specially Hindu paid agents, who are trying to create disharmony among-st the people living together for last 70 years on ethnic or parochial basis should be just shot dead in public, instead of giving a platform to spread their poison among people specially the youngsters. This drama of Mama Qadeer or who ever he is just baseless being conducted by these Sardars, who are getting funds as well weapons from RAW, just to create frustration among the people and black mail the government. If LUMS want to conduct some research on Baluchistan or Baluchi as a tribe. they should send their researchers in Interior Areas of Baluchistan, who should directly talk to the local people. The people require food, drinking water, respectable jobs and access to market to sell their cattle openly. They just care a damn about Democracy or Dictatorship or who becomes the Sardar or Wadera.

hamza khan | 9 years ago | Reply mama qadeer is well known to have links to indian intel agencies. pakistanis should wake up to those causing confusion on our soil. well done ISI. theres always room for debate in this country but no room for those who wish to cause anarchy or separatists.

GS@Y | 9 years ago | Reply It reflects well on LUMS that they were transparent about the issue and did not try to make excuses. It is indeed 'unfortunate' that the powers that be would rather silence folks like Mama Qadeer than have them join discussions in the mainstream of Pakistani society, which could only have strengthened our federation.

javed | 9 years ago | Reply very sad to read this.... this is unafir

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