IJT attacks, damages PU VC’s office

The historic Punjab University converted into a battlefield on Wednesday, when more than a hundred Islami Jamiat-e-Talba (IJT) activists attacked and damaged the PU Vice-Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran’s office, terming him responsible for the murder of IJT activist Awais Aqeel, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The PU had opened on its first working day on Wednesday after the murder of the student.
It is pertinent to mention here that Aqeel was murdered by former IJT activist Abrar Watto while at the PU hostel canteen.
After the incident, the varsity’s departments were closed after the IJT called for complete closure of academic activities.
During the demonstration, the IJT activists, who had gathered on the express invitation of the organisation, shouted slogans against the PU VC and warned the PU administration of dire consequences for the loss of their activist.
PU IJT Nazim Rai Haq Nawaz said the organisation had proof attesting to the involvement of the administration in the murder as the administration had supported Watto. He added that Abrar had been involved in criminal activities, but the administration did not take any action against him.
The IJT activists claimed that the varsity’s top officials, especially the VC and PUCIT Principal Mansoor Sarwer were involved in Aqeel’s murder.
According to the official PU spokesman, two professors were also attacked by the activists, while most faculty members and employees shut down their offices after the incident.
The PU is no stranger to clashes between the university’s administration and the IJT, as just last week PUCIT Principal Sarwer vacated hostel rooms from the illegal IJT occupants, inviting another clash during which two IJT activists were injured.
An FIR was also registered against the PUCIT principal by the IJT.
According to IJT activist Nawaz, Aqeel had been warned of dire consequences by principal Sarwer before his murder.
The activist said the organisation was investigating the incident and would not spare those involved in the crime.
He said also criticised the administration’s ‘double standards’, saying that many trouble-makers had been expelled from the varsity in the past, with the exception of Watto.
Nawaz denied allegations that the IJT had attacked teachers and said it was a part of the administration’s propaganda.
However, according to the PU spokesman, the murder was a result of internal clashes in the IJT, adding that the administration was not linked to the incident.
He said the administration and PU Academic Staff Association was protesting over the disruptive activities of the IJT and were demanding security measures from the Punjab government.
The PU spokesman added that Aqeel and Watto were not PU students and that the administration had launched an operation to vacate the PU hostels from illegal occupants such as these.
According to PU spokesman, the organisation had supported Watto during his attacks on the houses of syndicate member Prof Dr Shaukat Ali and Examinations Controller Prof Dr Liaqat Ali.
He said the IJT activists were involved in negative politics that had claimed a precious life.
PUASA condemned attack on VC Office: Meanwhile, a meeting of PUASA was held on Wednesday at executive club of the varsity where PUASA representatives condemned the attack on the VC office while other PU faculty members also opposed the incident.