SWABI: The students of Women University Swabi (WUS) here on Thursday threatened to stage protest against increase in transport fee.

They said that new transport charges from the university to Swabi City were Rs17,500 per student per semester, from the university to Ambar bus stop Rs22,500, to Jehangira Rs35,000, to Mansabdar Rs22,500, to Ismaila/Yar Hussain/Dagai Rs35,000 and from university to Zaida were Rs22,500.

Khalid Khan, the father of a student, said that earlier transport fee for Gohati to university route was Rs17,000. Now it has been increased to Rs35,000. “It is very difficult for students to afford it,” he added.

The parents of the students have demanded of the university administration to withdraw increase in the transport charges immediately. The students complained that the university administration always transferred entire financial burden to them. They said that their parents were not ready to pay the increased transport fee.

“Our parents don’t get enough salary. Parents of majority of students are farmers, who can’t afford it. The university administration should reconsider its decision,” a student of fourth semester told this scribe on condition of anonymity.

The students said that their semester consisted of four months but the university administration charged fee of six months. They said that they along with their parents would stage protest if administration did not reverse the decision.

KILLED: An employee of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Islamabad, was shot dead by his cousin over a property dispute in Karnal Sher Khan Kallay, Qaziabad, said police officials on Thursday.

The widow of deceased Maqsood Ali nominated his cousin Fazal Hadi in the FIR. Kalu Khan police registered a case and started investigation.

Meanwhile, five unidentified robbers looted the house of an affluent family here on Wednesday night, said police.

Mohammad Khalid, the owner of the house, told Kalu Khan police that on Wednesday night five unidentified persons entered his house and took the entire family hostage. He said that they took away from them mobile phones, six gold ornaments, Rs40,000 cash, three precious blankets and a motorcycle.

The robbers managed to escape after committing the crime. Police have registered an FIR against and started investigation.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2024