KARACHI: While all public sector universities across the province observed a ‘black day’ on their campuses, the academic activities at the University of Karachi remained suspended for a ninth consecutive day on Wednesday.

No classes have been held at the KU since Feb 1.

The black day and the suspension of classes were observed in response to a call given by the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa)-Sindh a day earlier.

However, Fapuasa-Sindh postponed its boycott of academic activities scheduled for Thursday following a ‘positive’ meeting of Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts) with Sindh Minister Ismail Rahu.

Classes at KU, however, would remain suspended as Kuts planned to present the outcome of its meeting with the minister with its general body on Thursday (today).

Kuts says minister Rahu agrees to take back controversial letter, remove acting VCs

“The general body would decide whether teachers continue with the boycott or cancel it as the minister has given the teachers’ delegation a lot of assurances but there is a question mark over their implementation,” said Dr Mohsin Ali of Kuts.

The minister, he pointed out, accepted all teachers’ demands except that of the secretary’s removal.

“We are told that the letter about drafting of service rules sent by the secretary to all universities would be withdrawn and that the government would facilitate the university in holding the selection board. The minister also agreed to remove acting vice chancellors from public sector universities,” he said.

Sources privy to the meeting said that the minister was of the view that the secretary’s remarks had been ‘wrongly interpreted’ and that he would call for an explanation from him (secretary).

About the financial crisis at universities, the minister told the delegation that funds had been approved by the Sindh chief minister and soon the same would be released by the finance department.

The teachers were demanding removal of the secretary of universities who forced the KU vice chancellor to cancel the proceedings of selection boards on Jan 31.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2022