HYDERABAD, Aug 18: The newly-formed Save Sindh University and Education Committee has advised the Vice-Chancellor Dr Nazir A. Mughal to gracefully relinquish the charge or face a civil society-backed agitation of teachers.
Chief of Awami Jamhoori Party Abrar Kazi speaking for the committee said at a press conference on Saturday said that Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo being senior was unable to head the committee but was very much on board.
It’s really heart-rending to see commotion on Jamshoro campus because of the VC who was facing serious corruption charges, hence should resign, he said adding the varsity was facing financial burden because of illegal appointments made by Dr Mughal.
Mr Kazi said that the committee would put forward a memorandum before the VC on 27th seeking his immediate resignation and if he refused then there would be a rally at the Institute of Sindhology and a protest outside the Administration Block on 30th.
“The committee would persuade teachers not to boycott classes during protest.” The trickling effects once the VC relinquished his charge would bear down right from the schools to colleges affiliated with the varsity, he said.
He demanded cancellation of all retired appointments and adherence to Higher Education Commission’s criteria in appointment of a new vice-chancellor.
Quoting from the resolution adopted on Thursday, he said the office of vice-chancellor was a den of corruption where appointments were bargained at heavy rates.
He ruled out Governor Ishratul Ibad’s standing as head of universities after the implementation of 18th Amendment and also called for withdrawing Rangers and police personnel from the campus.
He proposed forming a body to look into affairs of students by selecting two girls and two boys from each faculty.
A Civil Society activist and writer Jami Chandio said the committee was thinking over of writing letters to parliamentarians on university’s situation.
Affairs of educational boards and public universities were transferred to chief minister from the governor after the 18th Amendment he said and confronted the VC as to why he didn’t implement the committee’s decisions taken in the all parties’ conference, which he also attended.
Zulfikar Halepota of the Sindh Democratic Front reiterated their resolve that they would continue the protest even if new elected body of the Sindh University Teachers Association disagreed. The protest would continue till the removal of the incumbent vice-chancellor, he said.