April 04, 2008	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

KARACHI, April 3: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association has announced that it will observe Friday as a ‘black day’ in all universities of Pakistan on the request of Karachi University teachers, whereas KU teachers have announced that they will boycott classes on the same day.

This decision has been taken following an FIR filed on Wednesday against Dr Riaz Ahmed at a Karachi police station.

According to sources, the FIR (73/08) was filed on Wednesday by Hawaldar Anwarul Haq at the Mobina Town police station under Sections 337(F4), 353, 332 and 186.

A meeting was held on Thursday in which KU teachers condemned the facts being “distorted” by the Rangers and their filing an FIR against the teacher.

“The teachers demand the Rangers take back the FIR. Later on, KU teachers also met the vice-chancellor and told him about their demands,” said Karachi University Teachers’ Society (KUTS) General-Secretary Dr Abid Hasnain.

Fapusa President Dr Aftab Afridi, in response to the request put forth by the KU teachers, announced that April 4 would be observed as a ‘black day’ in all the universities of Pakistan and demanded the FIR be withdrawn against the teacher.

However, KU Vice-Chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim said that “I don’t know what response I should give to this since it is an individual act.” He said the administration has appointed a new campus adviser and formed a high-level committee to probe into the matter and hopefully, the results would be seen soon.

The Network for Women’s Rights has also condemned the incident and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.