PU teachers and students come on roads for Dr Mujahid Kamran

Lahore: Punjab University Academic Staff Association (ASA) addressed a press conference in support of Dr Mujahid Kamran’s appointment as acting vice chancellor by the Punjab chief minister and the governor recognizing his services for the promotion of research and merit besides making the varsity apolitical.

The press conference held at the University Club here on Monday was addressed by ASA President Hassan Mobin Alam, Vice President Dr Abid Hussain Ch, Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain along with other elected representatives of the teachers.

The ASA leaders said due to the leadership and research friendly policies of Dr Mujahid Kamran the international ranking of PU improved and many well reputed organizations of the world admitted that the research and academic standard of PU was fast improving. They also ranked PU number one among public sector universities of the country. ASA leaders said that PU teachers’ elected representatives have welcomed the decision of CM and Governor to appoint Dr Mujahid Kamran as acting VC while terming this decision ‘very good’ for the continuation of the policies.

The ASA leaders said that a few teachers belonging to a particular group staged a protest against Dr Mujahid only because they have their personal agendas and some of them were facing inquiries. These elements have already given applications in court and NAB but they don’t respect the decision of these honorable institutions of the country. These elements have been rejected by the PU teachers’ community because they lost election due to their unpopular political activities and conspiracies.   Such elements included Mr Auranzeb Aalamghir, Mansoor Sarwar, Shumaila Gul, Javed Sami, Makshoof Athar, Shahbaz Cheema and Shaukat Ali.

ASA leaders, the elected representatives, have demanded the chief minister to not take any kind of pressure of such rejected elements who always remain involved in negative politics instead of performing their assigned duties. They said that thousands of PU teachers have welcomed CM’s decision they are very happy.

Punjab University Academic Staff Association (ASA) addressed a press conference in support of Dr Mujahid Kamran’s appointment as acting vice chancellor by the Punjab chief minister and the governor recognizing his services for the promotion of research and merit besides making the varsity apolitical.

The press conference held at the University Club here on Monday was addressed by ASA President Hassan Mobin Alam, Vice President Dr Abid Hussain Ch, Secretary Dr Mahboob Hussain along with other elected representatives of the teachers.

The ASA leaders said due to the leadership and research friendly policies of Dr Mujahid Kamran the international ranking of PU improved and many well reputed organizations of the world admitted that the research and academic standard of PU was fast improving. They also ranked PU number one among public sector universities of the country. ASA leaders said that PU teachers’ elected representatives have welcomed the decision of CM and Governor to appoint Dr Mujahid Kamran as acting VC while terming this decision ‘very good’ for the continuation of the policies.

The ASA leaders said that a few teachers belonging to a particular group staged a protest against Dr Mujahid only because they have their personal agendas and some of them were facing inquiries. These elements have already given applications in court and NAB but they don’t respect the decision of these honorable institutions of the country. These elements have been rejected by the PU teachers’ community because they lost election due to their unpopular political activities and conspiracies.   Such elements included Mr Auranzeb Aalamghir, Mansoor Sarwar, Shumaila Gul, Javed Sami, Makshoof Athar, Shahbaz Cheema and Shaukat Ali.

ASA leaders, the elected representatives, have demanded the chief minister to not take any kind of pressure of such rejected elements who always remain involved in negative politics instead of performing their assigned duties. They said that thousands of PU teachers have welcomed CM’s decision they are very happy.

Meanwhile; Save PU Movement said that Chief Of Army Staff  General Raheel Sharif has announced in the most crucial conditions not to take any extension, however, Punjab government has unlawfully granted extension to Dr Mujahid Kamran as interim VC at the University of the Punjab. Is there no other competent teacher to replace him in the population of 200 million people or is their some “special task” which only he can complete. He has turned 65 and under no rules he can get third term or extension, said PU protesting teachers on Tuesday.

The teacher continued their hunger strike camp under Save PU Movement at Chairing Cross outside Punjab Assembly on the Mall for the second day.

“We are not out for pay raise or any other perks or facilities. We have PhD professors and the most qualified teachers with us. It is extreme helplessness when university teachers come on the roads. We have taken to roads to protect our prestigious institute from becoming a laughing stock. There is extreme unrest among the teachers on the unlawful appointment of Mujahid Kamran as interim VC. We want him removed from the office and the senior most professor at the varsity should be appointed as acting VC in accordance with the University Act,” the added

PU faculty members also met with Higher Education Department (HED) Secretary to convey their grievances to him. “He assured us that he will convey our grievances to the Chief Minister. However we will continue our protest until the merit is upheld and our university is saved from becoming a private property,” said Samee Uzair, Assistant Professor at University Law College, who along with others met the HED Secretary on Tuesday.

PU Syndicate member Javed Sami, Shumaila Gull, Law College faculty member Samee Uzair, Dr Shahbaz Cheema, former member Syndicate Dr Ismatuallah , Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Madam Khujista Rehan, Dr. Shahid Ghazi, Dr Ehsan Sharif participated along with their colleagues at the protest and hunger strike camp.