PESHAWAR, Nov 30: Leaders of the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) on Thursday threatened to hold student unions’ election by force if the government did not give them permission for the polls by Dec 15.

The IJT leaders issued the threat at a conference held at the end of a month-long campaign the Jamiat had launched to press the government to withdraw ban on student unions in educational institutions.

Hundreds of IJT activists and university and college students blocked the University Road when they could not gather on the campus.

The varsity administration had released water into all the lawns on the campus making it unfit for a rally.

Law-enforcement agencies personnel were deputed on the University Road and connecting roads to foil any disturbance.

Addressing the conference, the IJT leaders criticised what they called the secular system of education and rejected the Agha Khan Educational Board.

Provincial Information Minister Asif Iqbal Daudzai, Environment and Forest Minister Shahraz Khan and Food and Livestock Minister Fazl-i-Rabbani also attended the conference.

The participants of the rally chanted slogans against the ban on student unions and political activities for rights of students, tuition fees, `secularisation’ of the educational system and the Aga Khan Board. They carried IJT flags and banners.

Nasirullah Goraya, a top leader of the IJT, in his speech called upon the authorities to fulfil the only demand of students. Mr Rabbani endorsed the IJT's demand.

He said the atmosphere in educational institutions was peaceful and students’ rights were secure when unions were active in universities and colleges. But now the environment was not peaceful, he added.

Mr Daudzai assured the students that he would arrange a meeting between students’ representatives and Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani to resolve the issue. The IJT activists said they did not want to meet anyone and only wanted the ban on student unions to be lifted.