PESHAWAR, Jan 1: The Muttahida Tulaba Mahaz (MTM) has threatened to launch a protest campaign against the appointment of Lt-Gen Mumtaz Gul (retired) as vice-chancellor of the University of Peshawar.

The students community argued that the appointment would prove disastrous for the varsity, because Mr Gul had no experience in the field of education, a press release issued here on Thursday said.

A meeting of the MTM expressed concern over the appointment and said that the shadows of dictatorship had reached the campus, which would likely eclipse the academic atmosphere of the university.

The student leaders, speaking on the occasion, said that the generals should devote themselves to the defence of the country and army cantonments and leave the varsity's administration to the civilians.

The MTM demanded that the NWFP governor should cancel the appointment of Mr Gul as vice-chancellor immediately and appoint the senior-most professor as VC, else they would launch a protest movement.

ACADEMIC STAFF: The general body meeting of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association would be held at the office of Peshawar University Teachers Association (Puta) office on Friday.

A press release said that the delegates from all public sector universities of the country have reached here, who would discuss matters relating to the annual elections, proposed model university ordinance and the state of higher education.

ASF ENTRY PASSES: The Airport Security Force has extended the validity of all categories of the entry passes by one month, said a press release. The passes would be valid till Jan 31, 2004.