August 21, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 7, 1428

RAWALPINDI, Aug 20: College teachers of Rawalpindi division will resist any action by the provincial government against them for participating in protests held in support of the chief justice’s restoration.

Talking to Dawn here on Monday, Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) Rawalpindi division President Mohammad Ilyas Qureshi said the college teachers from across the province had participated in the movement for restoration of chief justice as members of the civil society which did not go well with the authorities.

Criticising the notice served on the PPLA president, Nazim Husnain, for treason and dismissal from service, he said the government was intimidating teachers for the offence they had not committed.

Mr Qureshi termed the allegation of treason against the teachers who participated in the protests as ridiculous and added that the teachers would not be cowed by such threats from the government.

“Apart from imparting education to the students, it is our obligation to raise our voices for what we deem truth,” Mr Qureshi said, adding that the college teachers merely expressed their fundamental right of opinion.

He said lecturers and professors were the most patriotic community and allegations of treason against them would divert their attention from their sacred duty of imparting education to the students.

Mr Qureshi said teachers were already facing hurdles in the performance of their duties and the latest intimidation would increase their problems.

The government should concentrate on uplifting education standard in schools and colleges rather than harassing teachers, who were an important pillar of the education system, he said.

Mr Qureshi said in case the government continued to intimidate teachers, the PPLA would agitate which would include strikes in colleges.

However, he hoped better sense would prevail on the side of the government and it would refrain from any action aimed at creating unrest in the colleges.