ABBOTTABAD: The Comsats University’s teachers boycotted classes here on Thursday to protest the alleged occupation of a faculty residential block by the campus director.

They also resented the ‘misuse’ of a university guesthouse by a Higher Education Commission director.

The administration later ordered an inquiry into the allegations of the protesters and formed a probe committee to file a report in 10 days.

The panel comprises employees Dr Chaudhry Arshad Mehmood, Dr Shakir Hafeez, Dr Nauman Khan Tareen, Syed Fida Hussain Shah, Mohammad Shaukat, Naeem Ahmed, Ehtisham Gul and Adam Zahoor.

Teachers along with representatives of administration and other members of staff boycotted their respective duties and said the strike would continue until an impartial inquiry was held into the ‘occupation’ of a faculty residential block by the campus director and ‘misuse’ of a university guesthouse by a HEC director.

They didn’t announce an end to the strike despite the formation of the probe panel.

When contacted, Comsats University media manager said findings of the inquiry would be made public.

He urged faculty members not to ‘harm university environment and help the administration take action’ on their complaints.

WORKSHOP: A capacity building workshop was organised for the police’s investigation officers here on Thursday.

District and sessions judge of Mansehra Ziaur Rehman was the special guest on the occasion. Other key participants included Hazara region DIG Mirvais Niaz, Abbottabad district police officer Sajjad Khan, Abbottabad additional SP Arif Javed, SP (investigation) Ishtiaq Khan and the Mansehra additional SP.

Besides police investigators from Haripur and Battagram, SDPO and other public prosecutors, a large number of investigation officers and SHOs also attended the workshop.

Judge Ziaur Rehman highlighted the issues related to the police’s investigation and suggested ways to address them.

He said only proper investigations could ensure punishment of criminals.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2022