February 20, 2002	Wednesday	Zilhaj 7, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: Four students were seriously injured in a shoot out between two student councils at the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) on Tuesday morning, it was learnt.

The two councils Mehran and Punjab have often exchanged fire at the QUA, disturbing, the otherwise serene environs of the university.

In a violation of university rules, there are four student councils and over a dozen sub-councils representing different areas, casts and creed here.

After the withdrawal of the QAU Act 1973 during the martial law regime of Gen Zia, students have been banned from exercising any activity that amounts to politics on the campus.

In clear breach of the law, the students have set up four councils and hold different programmes under their respective banner without any opposition from the university administration.

Of the four boys hostel, each one of them in under the control of these councils. Hostel No one is being controlled by the Pakhtoon council. Hostel No two is shared by the M Phil and Seriaki students and most peaceful of the four. Hostels No three and four are dominated by Mehran and Punjab councils respectively.

Instead of helping out the students, these councils are creating problems who come here to study, by their infighting, protested, Hina Mir of DSS department.

Offices bearers of these councils come from influential families and for cheap popularity indulge in divisive and disturbing activities.

An office bearer of Punjab council disclosed that he was against these student councils, but the administration of the university was so weak that a newcomer had to seek their help especially for room in the hostel.

A view shared by majority of the students was that the administration deliberately allowed these councils to function, so that the students do not pressurize them for getting their problems solved.

Referring to the allotment of rooms in the hostel, a student said it was the job of the university, instead these councils make recommendation on behalf of the intending applicant to the administration, failing which no student can get a room.

According to the survey conducted by Dawn, as much as five to 10 per cent people were living illegally in the hostel for the past so many years, thus overcrowding the already inadequate accommodation.

A student said weapons and drugs were easily available in the hostels, mostly provided by these outsiders and university administration was least concerned about these unlawful activities.

In a poll, only five students out of 100 endorsed the existence of these councils.

Officer-in-charge student’s affairs QAU, Dr Riffat Hussain said, “we do not recognize these councils in any capacity and discourage them.”

He attributed this problem largely to the lack of resources, absence of student’s representation in the university senate and quota system.