MARDAN: The leaders of Mardan-based All Parties Council here on Tuesday demanded of the authorities concerned to reopen Abdul Wali Khan University that was closed for indefinite period after lynching of student by mob on April 13.

The demand was made during a press conference by the leaders of APC at Mardan Press Club. The member parties of APC include PML-N, JUI-F, JI and JUI-P.

PML-N district president Inayat Bacha, JUI-F’s former MPA Tajul Ameen Jabal, JI district general secretary Imad Akbar, JUI-P district emir Abdul Haadi and a large number of civil society members, local elders, students and their parents were present during the press conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Inayat Bacha said that they set aside their political affiliation and joined hands for prosperity and development of Mardan. He said that students and their parents were passing critical time owing to closure of Abdul Wali Khan University.

He said that precious time of students was being wasted owing to closure of the university.

Imad Akbar asked the district administration to reopen the university forthwith as police had arrested all the persons nominated in the lynching case. He said that situation was under control so there was no reason to keep the university closed. Tajul Ameen Jabal termed the lynching incident and subsequent closure of the university misfortune for the residents of Mardan. He said that the lynching incident not only tarnished the image of Mardan but also defamed Islam.

He said that APC would extend full cooperation to the authorities concerned in reopening of the university if they were facing any hurdle in that regard.

Mr Jabal set May 8 as deadline for reopening of the university. He said that they would launch an aggressive agitation drive against the authorities if their demand was not met. The leaders of APC demanded reopening of the university, saying closure of the university was wasting time of students.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2017