MARDAN: A local jirga of Mardan has decided to file a writ petition against the meeting of the syndicate of Abdul Wali Khan Mardan scheduled to be held on September 12.

The jirga, comprising local chapters of all mainstream political parties, has termed the meeting illegal and decided to file the writ in Peshawar High Court today (Tuesday). It has vowed to resist the provincial government’s plan to sell the land of universities and medical colleges located in Mardan.

The members of the jirga held a meeting in the conference hall of Mardan Press Club to devise future line of action.

Mardan tehsil mayor Himayatullah Mayar, who attended the meeting, told journalists that the meeting of AWKUM syndicate was illegal as it was called by the officiating vice-chancellor. He said that there was no provision in the university rules to appoint and delegate powers of VC to an officiating VC as he was only authorised to deal with day to day affaires only.

“Supreme Court of Pakistan and Peshawar High Court have declared that once a land is acquired by a department then it cannot be taken back from it,” he said. He added that acquiring departments had prepared master plan for every inch of the land to construct different facilities over it.

Mr Mayar said that interests of people, particularly students, were attached with the land and all residents of Mardan had shown resentment over its proposed sale.

Jamaat-i-islami leader Saeed Akhtar said that the decision to sell land of universities would not only delay payment to owners but would also harm reputation of government and its representatives.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz district president Inayat Bacha said that no such example existed in the world history that land meant for public facilities had been sold.

Mohammad Bashir Adil, president of Mardan Press Club asked provincial government to withdraw its decision of selling the land of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Bacha Khan Medical College, Agricultural University Mardan and Engineering University Mardan. He added that government would be responsible for the consequences of its decision.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2024