ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi sought a report on the collapse of a temporary structure at Comsats University Islamabad (CUI).

Sources in Comsats said that the temporary building was being used by faculty members of the Virtual Campus for hybrid courses and a number of teachers were present during the incident.

However, before the complete collapse, the ceiling of the building began falling, which provided an opportunity for the faculty and staff to move out.

“It has come to the notice of the Federal Minister for Science and Technology/Pro-Chancellor of Comsats University that the roof of 5th Block-1 of Comsats University Islamabad collapsed on April 28, 2025. The said block was being used by faculty members as well as officers/staff-grade employees of the university,” read a letter from the ministry.

The letter, dated April 30, stated that the minister sought a report on the incident so that responsibility may be fixed to avoid any mishap in the future.

Meanwhile, Comsats faculty on Thursday expressed concerns.

The Academic Staff Association (ASA) of CUI wrote a letter to Acting Rector Professor Sajid Qamar and expressed “profound shock, anger and deep concern over the recent collapse of the Virtual Campus building, a catastrophe that endangered [lives] and traumatised members of the academic community of CUI.”

The ASA letter stated that it was “incomprehensible and unacceptable” that a facility used regularly by faculty, staff and students could collapse so catastrophically.

“This tragedy, which has reportedly resulted in injuries and the loss of critical academic infrastructure, personal and university property, represents not only a failure of structural oversight but a fundamental breach of institutional responsibility.”

The ASA demanded accountability of responsible individuals.

“An independent and impartial investigation must be conducted to determine who was responsible for the approval, construction and maintenance of the collapsed structure. All individuals found negligent must be held accountable under university statutes and national laws.”

Moreover, the fraternity said they were concerned that an institution with a budget of billions of rupees was relying on such temporary and unstable structures for its faculty and students.

“The campus administration must be held answerable for their negligence in properly maintaining such facilities and endangering the lives of faculty, staff, and students,” read the letter.

The ASA also demanded a full audit of all university buildings immediately, with public disclosure of their structural integrity certificates.

“No faculty, staff, or students should be expected to use any facility that has not been explicitly declared safe by qualified independent engineers.”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2025