KARACHI, Sept 18: Classes at Karachi University were suspended once again for the day after 12 noon on Wednesday, as teachers did not turn up for the purpose as a part of their ongoing protest campaign against the vice chancellor.

Teachers held their body meeting at the Arts Lobby of the university and reiterated they would continue the struggle till the time their demands were met. It was observed in the meeting that so far, no major demands were met by the vice chancellor, despite assurances by the chancellor of the university.

The Karachi University Teachers’ Society’s general body meeting was presided over by its vice president, Dr Riaz Ahmad, while senior and junior teachers — including female instructors — from different teaching departments spoke on the occasion, and expressed dismay over the continued indifferent attitude of the varsity administration in the case of teachers.

It was decided in the meeting that the boycott of classes every day after 12 noon would be continued till the next general body meeting of KUTS scheduled to be held on Saturday next. Speakers demanded for a judicial inquiry against certain officers whose alleged illegal actions and activities had been proved and condemned by the higher authorities.

In a communique, the KU PRO said that teachers performed their routine duties during the day, except between 12 and 13:30 hrs, when they held the general body meeting. He claimed that the departmental attendance ratio remained 100 per cent at the faculties of Pharmacy and Islamic Studies, while it was 95 per cent in the faculties of Science and Arts.

In the meantime, the varsity administration issued a couple of circulars pertaining to the withdrawal of certain punitive measures taken against the non-teaching staff during the last couple of months.

An official in the administration block confided that efforts were being made to break the deadlock between KUTS and the administration. While the VC has mentioned from time to time that his doors were open to KUTS for dialogue, fresh initiatives have also been taken for meetings between KUTS leaders and the vice chancellor, added the official, hoping that a positive development would be witnessed soon.

It was further learnt that as a conciliatory measure, the KU administration had already moved the offices concerned for the withdrawal of police or court cases against the teachers, students and non-teaching employees.

The examination for LL.M (Previous) were also held as per schedule, and attendance of the students in this was 100 percent, adds APP. The KU spokesman said that this examination was held in a peaceful and calm atmosphere.