KU campus becomes no-go area for rickshaws

The University of Karachi (KU) has decided to impose a ban on the movement of rickshaws inside its campus, Pakistan Today has learnt. The decision has been made in the wake of the KU’s shuttle service suspension due to cuts in the university’s transport department grants.
The university has also decided to issue a challan of Rs 500 to first-time violators and seize the vehicle on the second occasion. However, the KU management is confused over how to convince the low-income employees, particularly security guards, who run their rickshaws in the campus as a part-time business. These employees were motivated to start this transport business when the fund-strapped university had decided to suspend its shuttle service for its students.
These rickshaw owners charge Rs 30 to Rs 40 from students in the absence of the shuttle service. Many students, who can afford it, travel to others departments within the university in these rickshaws, usually by sharing the cost.
However, the involvement of security guards in the transport business has dented the KU’s security system and there are complaints of guards quarrelling when their shift changes, as they prefer the shift in which they can run their business.
KU Campus Senior Security Officer Iftikhar Alam confirmed that a ban has been imposed on rickshaws at the campus, but added that the directives could not be implemented yet. He also admitted that some security guards were running rickshaws for some extra income.
KU Spokesman Qamar Rizvi refuted this claim and said that there is no rickshaw operator at the university. “These vehicles are not permitted inside its premises,” he added.
However, he said that rickshaws can enter the campus to drop women and students with disabilities.
“If a rickshaw enters the KU premises to drop women or people with disabilities, some students use them to on their way out and the management is unable to do anything in this case,” he added.
 KU Pro-Vice Chancellor Administrative Affairs Prof Dr Nasiruddin Khan said a complete ban has been imposed on rickshaws inside the campus and the registrar has been asked to issue a circular for this purpose.