November 16, 2007	Friday	Ziqa’ad 05, 1428

KARACHI, Nov 15: A group of teachers took the initiative of leading a peaceful protest demonstration at the University of Karachi on Thursday against the imposition of emergency in the country and other laws implemented with the proclamation issued by Gen Pervez Musharraf on Nov 3.

Holding a banner calling for the restoration of the constitution and the judiciary and lifting of curbs on the media, around 15 teachers led by Dr Riaz Ahmad took out a rally from the Arts lobby at 1pm and walked silently in the corridors and compounds of various departments up to the main Silver Jubilee gate of the university.

Upon reaching the gate, the protesters wearing black armbands chanted slogans against dictatorship and censorship, like ‘Fauji Junta, Na Manzoor’.

A majority of them belonged to the Department of Social Sciences. Prominent among them were Dr Abdul Qadeer (Applied Physics), Hina Khan (General History) and Dr Zahoorul Hasan Babar (Philosophy).

A handful of students passing by in overcrowded buses joined in the protest but the others looked bewildered on seeing the teachers registering their protest.

Earlier, the United Teachers’ Forum organised a lecture on ‘Struggles against Draconian Laws’ at the Audio-Visual Centre where M.B. Naqvi was the chief guest.

Mr Naqvi informed the audience about the gravity of the crises confronting the country at the moment and warned that its future was at stake if inaction remained their virtue.

Mr Ahmad urged students to debate ideas among themselves and hold peaceful protest on any issue which they felt strongly about.

A meeting of the protesting teachers and students interested in joining in their protest would be held on campus on Saturday. Footage of the event would be shown in the Audio-Visual Centre on Monday.