MANSEHRA: The students’ protest on Wednesday prompted the Hazara University to withdraw its order for them to leave hostels as part of security measures for the prime minister’s visit to the district today (Thursday).

Notifying the campus closure on Thursday, the university’s administration on Wednesday asked boarders to leave hostels and premises before noon as a security measure.

Also, the security personnel deployed at the university’s central gate stopped students and visitors from entering the campus to their misery.

Related: Hazara University closed for two days ahead of Nawaz Sharif's visit

Protest by students led to development

Angered by the ‘uncalled-for’ security checks, students later protested their ‘expulsion’ from hostels.

“If the prime minister is coming here, what is the point in steering us out of the hostels? We are from different parts of country and therefore, we’re unable to go back for two nights stay there,” student Mohammad Hanif said.

He said like other sections of society, students would welcome the prime minister on arrival in the district but won’t leave campus or hostels in the name of security checks.

The student said the protest would continue until the administration withdrew its order.

During the protest, the university administration and police met the representatives of students and accepted their demand to stay in hostels.

The protesters dispersed peacefully afterwards.

MEGA PROJECTS: Federal minister for religious affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf on Wednesday said the prime minister’s visit to Mansehra would herald massive development in the district.

“The PM is going to inaugurate the second phase of Hazara motorway and announce some mega projects, which will change the fate of the people living here and other parts of Hazara,” he told reporters here at Hazara University ground after reviewing preparations for the public meeting to be addressed by the prime minister.

The minister, who reached here from Islamabad after meeting the prime minster in the morning, said the people would accord the prime minister a warm welcome on arrival in the district.

He criticised the opposition parties for raising non-issues.

MNA Mohammad Safdar, the son-in-law of PM, and MPA Salah Khan Swati also visited the ground.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2016