- PU administration allegedly pledges support for PML-N
- PML-N candidates meet university officials at a breakfast
According to reliable sources in the Punjab University (PU), the university administration has ‘pledged’ support for Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) in a meeting held between the university’s administration and PML-N candidates Khawaja Hassaan (NA-126) and Tauseef Shah (PP-151) at the PU’s Executive Club on Sunday, while the university’s spokesperson has denied university’s involvement in political activities.
Sources told Pakistan Today that the meeting was attended by PU Additional Registrar Alamgir, PU Controller Dr Liaqat Ali, Resident Officer Javaid Sami, Executive Club Chairman Dr Shauqat Ali and 15 other teachers of the university. According to sources, PU Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran later joined the gathering at breakfast.
Sources claimed that the ‘PU-funded’ meeting-cum-breakfast was held to pledge support for Khawaja Hassaan and Tauseef Shah. PU Executive Club Chairman Dr Shauqat Ali while addressing the meeting ensured PU administration and departments’ support for PML-N, sources claimed.
However, conflicting statements arose from the varsity administration regarding the presence of PML-N candidates in the meeting on Sunday.
While the varsity’s Admin Officer Zaheer-ul-Hassan confirmed the news of such a meeting in the varsity, a handout issued by the university on Sunday claimed that the news was based on rumours and no university official was involved in any political activity.
The handout claimed that no political party was allowed to hold corner meetings in the varsity and neither did the university administration entertained election candidates with tea and biscuits. However, election candidates visited the PU campus colony for electioneering and it was their right to do so, the PU spokesperson said.
The PU registrar gave his views, “Khawaja Hassan was PU former student and if he came to the university there must be no issue regarding his presence in the institution.”
The spokesman of the PML-N candidate Khawaja Hassaan told Pakistan Today that the meeting and breakfast was organized by the Punjab University administration at the Executive Club. Many officials including the registrar, controller and the varsity’s resident officer who were present in the meeting promised their support for PML-N, he said.