ATTOCK, Nov 30: The district authorities have issued a notice to the Government Postgraduate College administration, asking it to vacate a block reserved for master’s classes in English and Economics, it has been learnt.

Attock’s revenue department has sought the building on the claim that it was “illegally” occupied by the district government during the tenure of the previous PML-led Punjab government.The move comes at a time when the Punjab University has withdrawn affiliation of the college’s MA courses, saying that the institution did not have the required facilities like faculty and libraries.

The Punjab University took the decision weeks after more than 60 students were enrolled in the courses, putting their academic future at stake.

Even requests made by the college principal, Prof Ghulam Mustafa Kiani, for a revision of the decision were not considered. The principal had argued that the courses were being conducted for the last 16 year with the same facilities.

The Punjab University last year had also withdrawn the affiliation of master’s in mathematics, botany, political science, physics and chemistry. The courses were launched in 2004 after extensive efforts of the district government to facilitate the local students.

Earlier, hundreds of students belonging to the lower and middle classes suffered a setback when they were denied 100 per cent tuition fee wavier in the Comsats Institute of Information Technology Attock, as funds could not be allocated due to a tussle between the local administration and the district government.

Social circles and parents of the students said a change of government should not result in shelving of projects and policies favouring the public.

They expressed concern over the silence of the newly-elected public representatives over the prevailing situation that was greatly affecting the local people.

The college principal, Prof Kiani, also criticised the withdrawal of affiliation by the Punjab University, saying it had caused mental tension to the students and their parents.

However, he asked the newly-enrolled students to ensure their attendance, hoping the university would review its “illogical decision”. Prof Kiani said he and the students had raised the issue with PML-N’s MNA Sheikh Aftab Ahmed and PPP’s MPA Shahan Malik, adding that both had assured them of their support.

The principal said he would also proceed to Lahore to discuss the issue with the Punjab University authorities.

Meanwhile, the district council members, including Attock’s naib nazim Malik Sameen Khan, have condemned the issuance of a vacation notice to the postgraduate college and withdrawal of affiliation.

They warned that they would stage a protest demonstration on Friday, if the notice was not withdrawn and the affiliation was not restored.