On the streets : Hundreds protest VC’s arrest in Mardan

The employees reached the Mardan Press Club holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of the VC

MARDAN:

Hundreds of Abdul Wali Khan University employees from Grade 1 to 15 protested against the arrest of Professor Dr Ihsan Ali on Wednesday in Mardan.

The employees reached the Mardan Press Club at around 12:30pm, holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of the VC. The protesters were headed by All University Employees Association President Ajmal Mayar and General Secretary Jawad Sangar. They slammed the government and demanded Ali’s release.

Speakers highlighted the achievements of the VC in the field of higher education. They said his arrest was a huge blow to education in the province. According to the protesters, Ali established Hazara University, then Abdul Wali Khan University and several of its campuses. The speakers claimed Ali was arrested on baseless allegations.

In Timergara, Lower Dir, educationists demanded Ali’s immediate release. They warned of more protests if authorities continued to hold the VC. In a statement, AWKUM Employees Union Senior Vice President Aziz Khan said the arrest of VC was an act of “vengeance”. He said the government had now started “bothering and defaming notable and noble people of society”.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th,  2015.