The deans of the University of Karachi (KU) have turned against the varsity’s top brass after security guards stopped them from entering the VIP lounge during the annual convocation on Saturday.
They will hold a meeting today (Monday) to discuss the guards’ misbehaviour with them.
Besides, they would also discuss the students’ protest and the university’s mismanagement during the convocation.
KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui had allowed entry of pro-vice chancellors and syndicate members in the VIP lounge and directed the university’s security to prevent everyone else from entering.
When the deans tried to join Pro-Vice Chancellor/Senior Sindh Education and Literacy Minister Pir Mazharul Haq before and after the convocation, they were stopped by the university’s guards.
The deans then decided to participate in the convocation, and when they tried to approach the vice chancellor to protest the disparity, they were stopped again.
KU Arts Faculty Dean Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal said this was the first time that the deans were barred from entering the VIP lounge to join the pro-chancellor.
Iqbal said the security personnel told them that only the pro-chancellor, vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellors and syndicate members could enter the VIP lounge, whereas everyone else was barred from entering.
He said the security personnel told the deans that they were stopped from entering the VIP lounge on the vice chancellor’s orders.
“Science Faculty Dean Prof Dr Darakhshan Haleem left after the convocation in protest. Management and Administrative Sciences Faculty Dean Prof Dr Abuzar Wajidi, who was also stopped for entering the VIP lounge, walked inside the lounge and informed the vice chancellor of the deans’ protest,” he added.
Iqbal said the vice chancellor came outside later and asked them to join them for tea, adding that the deans were humiliated further when they found out that no seating arrangements were made for them.
He said there were only eight chairs, and they were occupied by the pro-chancellor, vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellors and syndicate members.
“The deans will discuss this issue in a meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Monday,” he added.
Prof Dr Haleem confirmed that the incident took place; however, she said she had left to offer prayers and that her leaving should not be considered as a protest against the KU management.
