Dr Shakeel Auj killing: KU teachers announce indefinite boycott of academic activities
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KARACHI: The Karachi University Teachers' Society (KUTS) on Friday has announced its decision to boycott all academic activities for an indefinite period in the wake of the killing of Dean of Islamic Studies Faculty at the University of Karachi Dr Shakeel Auj.
Presenting its demands, the KUTS said that this was the second time that a KU faculty member had been targeted, adding that killers of the deceased persons should be arrested and their identities should be disclosed. It also said the government should adopt measures for the provision of security to faculty members.
The KUTS announced that educational activities in KU would only resume once their demands have been met.
It further said that all universities in Sindh would observe a 'black day' today to mourn Dr Auj's killing.
Earlier on Thursday, Auj was shot dead when his vehicle was fired at by unknown assailants. Dr Auj was shot three times in the neck and chest.
The incident had taken place in Karachi's Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town near the Baitul Mukarram mosque.
SSP Pir Mohammad Shah told BBCUrdu that a madrassah in Karachi had issued a fatwa relating to alleged blasphemy against Dr Auj.
Taking notice of the incident, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad had ordered Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali to submit a report on the incident.
KU had further announced that it would remain closed for three days.
Dr Auj had been associated with KU for 19 years and had been heading the Islamic Studies department since February 1, 2012. He also used to edit Al-Tafseer — an HEC-recognised research journal on Islamic Studies. According to the university's website, Dr Auj has written 15 books.
More on this: Dean of KU Islamic Studies department shot dead
Security cameras non-functional in KU
Meanwhile, security cameras in KU have stopped functioning and faculty members have demanded that they be reinstalled at the earliest in view of security concerns.
However, the university administration has said that it does not have the funds to get these reinstalled.
