KARACHI, April 3: The Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) on Thursday announced that it would observe a token hunger strike in all provincial capitals in the country on Saturday, April 5, to press the government for accepting their demands.

This was stated by Prof Syed Riaz Ahsan at a press conference at the Govt S.M Arts and Commerce. He was flanked by president Karachi University Teachers Society (Kuts), Prof Sarwar Nasim.

Mr Riaz said that in Karachi the hunger-strike camp would be set up at the Govt Islamia Arts and Commerce College Karachi, where a protest meeting of the SPLA would also be held.

He demanded immediate reinstatement of seven sacked teachers and one sacked doctor in the Punjab, as was promised made by the Punjab chief minister. He also demanded that the decisions regarding denationalization of educational institutions and boards of governors to run the affairs of hospitals and educational institutes be taken back.

Severely criticising the appointment of an American as principal of the F.C College Lahore, he demanded restoration of the original status of the college and removal of the principal.

He urged the government to resolve issues confronting the teachers’ community in Sindh, raise their salaries and allowances up to 100 per cents.

“If our demands are not met we will be forced to initiate a widespread protest,” he warned.

Other SPLA representatives including Professor Sher Khan Salero and Prof Manzoor were also present on the occasion.—PPI