LCWU protests get serious

For the first time in the history of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) the employees of the college burnt the effigy of a vice chancellor and protested against her for not fulfilling their demands at Shadman Chowk. Employees alleged that VC Dr Sabiha Mansoor was not capable and could not control the affairs of the college, adding that she had illegally appointed her nephew Colonel (r) Qudrat Ali on an administrative post without getting permission from the varsity syndicate.
A large number of LCWU employees under the banner of All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) LCWU Unit carrying placards chanted slogans against Dr Sabiha and former VC Dr Bushra Mateen for not fulfilling their demands. Employees burnt the effigy of Dr Sabiha Mansoor and alleged that the ‘dictator’ Sabiha had converted the university into her own state, adding that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should take notice since over 400 employees were feeling insecure under her control.
They demanded group insurance of employees, establishing GP fund, job quota and reserved seats for the children of employees in university, house requisition and technical allowances. They also demanded that three army officers should also be removed from the varsity since they were a big hurdle in the fulfillment of their demands.
While addressing the protest, leaders of APCA said the current VC had appointed her relatives on important seats to facilitate them and these army officials were misbehaving with poor employees. They added that former VC Bushra Mateen was also involved in corruption and had bought a new house with the funds for house requisition. They further said they would continue protesting till their demands are not met.
LCWU VC: LCWU Vice Chancellor Dr Sabeeha Mansoor has said some selfish elements were trying to disrupt peaceful environment of the university and administration will take stern action against those elements for crossing their legal rights. She was addressing a press conference at her office on Monday. The VC said according to Article 34 of University Act, no employees were allowed to take part in politics, adding that the administration believed in the welfare of the employees and for this purpose an employee’s welfare fund had been established. She claimed that she had not made any illegal appointments and the posts had been filled after the approval of the syndicate. Dean of Science Dr Kausar Jamal Cheema and other members of the faculty condemned the burning of effigy of the VC by the employees and stated that it was a shameful act.