ISLAMABAD: Scores of fresh graduates from Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University and the National University of Modern Languages (Numl) on Thursday held a protest demonstration against the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for its alleged discrimination in the distribution of laptops under the prime minister’s scheme.

The protesters kept the main service road in front of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) blocked for almost an hour.

They claimed that during their stay at the universities from June 2012 to June 2014, their names were finalised for the laptops. But the scheme faced a delay of few months during which they completed their courses.

“Through emails and text messages, the HEC invited us to receive the laptops from its secretariat but after reaching here we are being told that we are ineligible to get the laptops,” said Amna Naz, who came from Lahore to collect a laptop. She said she did an MBA from Numl’s Lahore campus in June this year.

Shoaib Ahmed, another student from Numl, Lahore campus, said during their stay at the university their names were finalised by the university administration. But the university didn’t pursue their cases. “If our universities didn’t forward our names on time it’s not our fault. Secondly, if we were not eligible for the laptops why the HEC invited us,” he said.

Haseeb Ahmad, a fresh graduate from Numl Islamabad, said a few days ago he received an email from the HEC. He shared the copy of the email with the mediapersons which stated: “The HEC congratulates you for the award of a laptop and accessories under the prime minister’s laptop scheme. You will receive a laptop along with accessories and a certificate duly signed by the prime minister. You are advised to collect your award from the National University of Modern Languages Islamabad.”

However, Haseeb said when he arrived at the university he was denied the laptop.

The students dispersed peacefully after HEC Director General Information Technology Anwar Amjad assured them that the commission would take up their issue.

HEC spokesperson Ayesha Ikram said the scheme was designed for students enrolled in January 2013. However, later it was decided to also include the names of those students who were enrolled in June 2012.

“Under this decision, the protesting students are eligible for getting laptops but at the same time there is a problem as according to rules ex-students are not eligible for getting the laptops. So now, the steering committee will take up this issue,” she said.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014