KARACHI, Aug 10: The association of Islamic learning teachers has condemned the recent decision of the Sindh government to denationalize two city colleges and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
A senior college teacher at a ceremony, organized by the Anjuman Asatiza Uloom-e-Islami, Karachi, placed a resolution, flaying the government for its decision of handing over nationalized St Joseph's and St Patrick's colleges to a private party.
The resolution, approved unanimously by the teachers, said the decision had caused unrest and increased a sense of deprivation among students, their parents and teachers of colleges.
The ceremony was held to recognize the prolonged services of teachers in the subject of Islamic learning. Shields of appreciation were presented to outstanding teachers.
The chief justice of the Federal Shariat Court, Justice Choudhry Ejaz Yousuf, was to preside over the ceremony, but he could not reach the city from Quetta due to bad weather and disturbance of flights. However, his message was read out by registrar of the FSC Mohammad Rafiq Najmi at the ceremony.
The chief justice acknowledged the role and contribution of teachers in shaping society, saying they were important pillars of society. He hoped the association of teachers would continue holding such functions in future to encourage teachers and scholars.
The Sindh home minister Rauf Siddiqui said the Muslim Ummah was passing through a phase of tests, but should not loose hope as they were blessed with Islamic teachings and knowledge for overcoming such situations.
He said teachers in Pakistan had a huge forum, through which they could give proper guidance to people. He urged them to maintain unity among their ranks and file. Referring to the incidents of blasts and killings in the city, he said those who were killing even students of madressahs were surely not muslims and deserved severe punishment.
President of the association Prof Muhammad Ishaque Madni, Prof Ali Imam Rizvi also spoke. They highlighted the problems faced by teachers and urged the government to ensure an immediate payment of pension to teachers.
Those who received awards at the ceremony included Prof Muhammad Jamil Ajmal, Prof Muhammad Yameen Shah, Prof Shaista Sultana, Prof Ashfaquzzaman, Prof Rafiq Zia, Dr Muhammad Saeed, Hafiz Muhammad Zia, Muhammad Yasin, Dr Abdul Bari, Prof Birjees Siddiqui, Prof Baqar Raza Abdi, Prof Maimoona Noor Muhammad and Prof Ghulam Abbas Qadri.
