KARACHI, Jan 15: The ongoing protest of faculty members against the alleged manhandling of a few of their colleagues by a group of students on the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST) , Gulshan campus, was extended to its second campus on Saturday.

In the meanwhile, teaching remained suspended for one more day on Saturday on the Gulshan campus, as teachers did not turn up for classes. Newly admitted students, whose academic session was to commence on the very day, also faced disappointment.

Speaking at their general body meeting on Abdul Haque Campus of the varsity, teachers condemned the insulting attitude of a student group towards their faculty. The incident occurred on Monday last on the Gulshan campus.

The university administration was urged to immediately move for eliminating their concerns. Besides, the teachers highlighted the problems they were faced with for a long period and authorized office-bearers of the Anjuman-i-Asatiza of the Abdul Haque campus, to take every possible measure to get their demands accepted, besides adopting an extreme line of action, if needed.

Talking to Dawn, Syed Nasir Abbas, the president of Anjuman-i-Asatiza, Abdul Haque campus, said among other items on the agenda, the prevailing unrest among the faculty members of the Gulshan campus was also considered during the meting.

"We extend our full support to our brothers at the Gulshan campus. Any decision regarding the boycott of classes on our campus would be taken at the meeting of the executive council of the Anjuman on Monday."

The Dean of the Arts faculty of FUUAST, Rana Hilal, said her campus remained peaceful during the last few days, and she hoped the issue pertaining to the misbehaviour of students with teachers would be resolved at the earliest.

"The classes of BA (Hons) first year, MA Previous, BCom (Part-I), BEd and LLB programmes began only on Jan 10, and I wish to see them taking place as per plan." However, she mentioned that the role of students should be limited, and they should be discouraged from interfering into academic affairs, she added.

The general body meeting, which was also addressed by representatives of the Gulshan campus, resolved that the varsity administration was not taking interest in implementing various decisions taken by the university senate.

Attempts were being made to deprive teachers of their due promotions, and medical facilities, while efforts were also on for winding up the Abdul Haque campus, which was highly condemnable, alleged the meeting.

The meeting demanded that teaching and non-teaching staff should be given house rent in line with the rules meant for federal universities. In another resolution, it was said that subjects of social sciences and commerce, given under the evening programme on the Abdul Haque campus, had been shifted to the Gulshan campus, which was unjust and inappropriate.

It was further said that admission to various programmes of the varsity had been given under a so-called policy. The policy was never approved by the academic council, syndicate or senate of the university, which caused reduction in admissions to Abdul Haque campus as well, she added.

It was the administration's failure that students had resorted to agitation, which finally threw the university into crises, and exams had to be postponed, observed the general body meeting's resolutions.

Teachers also demanded for restoration of the old admission policy, appointment of a new registrar, and ensured representation of teachers in the varsity senate and syndicate.

The general body meeting was presided over by Syed Nasir Abbas, while among others, Suleman D Mohammad, Viqarul Haq, Syed Asghar Ali, Abdul Naeem Qureshi, Prof Shaheen Akhtar, Dr Rashid Kamal, Prof Manzoorul Islam Siddiqui and Prof Mohammad Shafi Azad also spoke.