July 05, 2008	Saturday	Rajab 1, 1429

FAISALABAD, July 4: A committee of the Punjab Medical College (PMC) probing into the issue of the expulsion of 23 students has suggested the Punjab government shift nine students to some other colleges, sources told Dawn on Friday.

The committee also recommended punishment for nine students for showing themselves as Muslim in their admission forms.

Following protests and sits-in by students, 23 students from Ahmedi sect were rusticated from the PMC on June 5 for “preaching” their faith on the campus. Later, the Punjab government formed a probe committee to look into the issue.

The five-member committee, headed by Dr Farooq Mian, presented its findings to the Academic Council on June 28 in which Dr Yousaf Shah and Dr Zahid Iqbal, both committee members, apprised the participants about the panel’s findings.

Sources privy to the meeting said a majority of council members opposed the findings and suggestions.

The committee report reads, "During investigation of recent unrest in the college, the committee deputed for this investigation found that nine students have mentioned their religion as Islam in admission forms while they are Ahmedis. The committee recommended penalty for the students..

The PMC principal suggested in a letter (8595/PMC/2008) to the health secretary that nine students be migrated to other colleges as their presence at the PMC could create problem to the administration. The inquiry report is mum on the future of the remaining students.

The committee did not take action against “rioters” who had not appeared before it. The PMC administration informed the health secretary the academic council considered that a person could not be punished unheard, so the students who did not appear before the inquiry committee could defend themselves before the disciplinary committee.

Sources said the disciplinary committee would submit its report in a week.

In a late night development, Dawn learnt that Civil Lines police registered a case, on the complaint of the PMC principal, under 296-ATC against unidentified people. The PMC principal refused to comment the situation.