04 November 2004	Thursday	20 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Nov 3: The Sindh government on Wednesday constituted a high-level committee to maintain peace in educational institutions of Karachi.

The names of the members of this high-powered committee were finalized at a meeting presided over by Sindh home minister Rauf Siddiqui.

The meeting reviewed the deteriorating law and order situation in colleges in view of recent clashes between various student groups.

Mr Rauf Siddiqui said that for a complete and durable peace in educational institutions, it is necessary to cleanse them of weapons.

Mr Rauf Siddiqui said the committee, comprising elected representatives and other stake-holders, would be responsible for maintaining peaceful atmosphere in colleges and universities. Such a committee was formed in a previous meeting.

The minister expressed the hope that the committee would take positive measures to ensure a healthy and cooperative atmosphere among all stakeholders in educational institutions that would help towards a peaceful educational environment.

The committee comprises City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, Gulberg Town Nazim Farooq Naimatullah, MMA MNA Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Jamaat-i-Islami Karachi secretary Shaikh Rafique Ahmed, MMA MPA Nasrullah Shajee, Acting Nazim of Islami Jamiat Talaba Karachi, Usama Shafique, secretary-general of All-Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization Dr. Adnan, MQM MNA Iqbal Mohammad Ali Khan, MPA Mohammad Hussain and Moin Khan.

The meeting discussed various issues, including law and order situation in colleges and universities, measures to ensure cordial relationship between rival student organizations and how to avoid clashes.

The meeting was attended by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, CCPO Tariq Jamil, MPAs Nasrullah Shajee, Moin Khan, Town Nazim Gulberg Farooq Naimatullah and others.

Rauf Siddiqui hoped that as a result of steps taken by the committee, there would be complete harmony among various student groups and a pleasant academic atmosphere would prevail.

He said that regular meetings of the committee would be convened soon after Eid.

ADAMJEE COLLEGE: The faculty members of Adamjee Government Science College on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over efforts made by the EDO (Education) Prof. Raees Alvi, but deplored that the authorities were not willing to take suspension of academic activities at the college seriously.

A meeting of the Adamjee College teachers, with Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association office-bearer, Prof. Athar Hussain in the chair, praised the EDO for writing letters to the authorities for deployment of rangers at the college. However, they deplored that authorities were not taking the issue seriously.

The teachers are boycotting classes against the manhandling of a lecturer.

The meeting also adopted a resolution urging the Sindh governor and the chief minister to intervene and order deployment of rangers at the college for restoration of peace and academic activities.

Teaching suffered badly at the Urdu University campuses and at the Adamjee College, Government College of Commerce and Economics and National College during the last few days as students and teachers stayed away, fearing violence.

A senior official of the Urdu University said in view of the prevailing tension, the administration of the university has decided to suspend teaching activities on Thursday as well.

Following a clash between two groups of students on Saturday last, the university remained closed on Monday and Tuesday.

In the meantime, rangers have been deployed at the Gulshan campus of the Urdu University for an indefinite period.-Agencies