KARACHI, Jan 29: Teachers at the University of Karachi on Wednesday observed a black day to press the government for withdrawal of the model university ordinance.

The teachers, in line with a decision of the Federation of All-Pakistan University Academic Staff Association, brought out a rally and criticized the government officials for playing anti- education and anti-people role.

Speakers at the rally, which was also joined in by students, demanded restoration of the University Act 1974 in the interest of higher education.

The rally was brought out from the Arts Lobby which passed through the Mathematics, Chemistry and Applied Chemistry departments and terminated peacefully at the university bus terminus. A law-enforcement agency personnel were deployed at some points as a precautionary measure.

The students leaders also criticized America’s threatening posture against Iraq and said that all the US policies were anti- Muslims. They expressed their support for Iraq and vowed that in any crisis the students community would stand by it.

The participants of the rally were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the university ordinance.

Meanwhile, a Karachi University Teachers’ Society press release said that teachers wore black arm-bands and badges against what it termed anti-teachers, anti-students ordinance.

KUTS’ President Sarwar Nasim said that the varsity teachers’ movement throughout the country would continue till the time the controversial ordinance was withdrawn. Dr Riaz Ahmad, the secretary of KUTS, Dr Abdul Qadeer, Osama Shafiq and Wali Mohammad also spoke.