Despite all the hurdles and hindrances created by the administration of the University of Karachi (KU), the Teachers Against War & Oppression (TAW&O) successfully organised and executed a seminar on missing persons of Balochistan on Wednesday.
The organiser of the seminar ‘Baloch Missing Persons-Role of State and Society’ in his welcome address made it clear that the government and the security agencies have not stopped them. However, the management of KU tried to create hindrances by not allotting use of university facilities.
On Tuesday, KU refused to let faculty members use the Arts auditorium to host the seminar, saying that seminars related to sensitive issues were not allowed on university premises.
Instead, Dr Riaz Ahmed, a professor at the Department of Applied Chemistry, gathered people in the arts lobby, where he said he appreciated their resolve in standing up to raise their voices against the brutal killings of the Baloch.
The crowd included students from KU as well as Institute of Business Administration (IBA), NED University and civil society representatives. “This is a sign that we are not afraid,” Riaz said of the crowd.
“The administration is weak, which is why they have closed these doors today,” the professor said, pointing towards the Arts auditorium’s locked doors.
“After seeing the huge crowd, the administration should be ashamed and should open up doors for healthy discussions and talks,” he urged.
KU SECURITY – NOT WATERTIGHT:
The management of KU had made watertight security on the occasion. Those who were willing to participate in the seminar were told to park their vehicles outside the campus. The entrance of any media persons on campus was strictly prohibited.
Security guards present checked everyone before allowing into the university. Sources suggest that this was to stop the speakers from entering.
“No outsiders were allowed into the university today and the people attending the session were brought in through the cars of the professors,” KU Security Adviser Dr Muhammad Zubair said.
Regarding the attendance of Baloch activist Mama Qadeer, Zubair said, “Mama Qadeer did not enter the building this morning.”
“He may have been hiding here since last night,” the security adviser added.
During the event Mama Qadeer Baloch pointed an accusatory finger at the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led government. “The ruling party promised that it would stop the use of power and resolve the issues being faced by the Baloch as per their desires. However, PML-N has failed to change the ongoing policy on Balochistan,” Qadeer lamented.
“Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif in his statement alleged that Baloch nationalists are using Indian passports to travel abroad, but he failed to provide any evidence of his claims,” he added.
He said that the struggle of Baloch nationalism has been transferred onto the next generation.
“Abdul Malik Baloch was made the chief minister of Balochistan under the condition that he would suppress the voices of those who spoke about missing persons,” Qadeer asserted.
Presenting a tribute to slain social and human rights activist Sabeen Mahmud, Mir Muhammad Ali Talpur another Baloch nationalist said, “Sabeen was defiant and working for the suppressed classes in the country, and that spirit was spreading throughout the country.”
