KU Mass Com Dept on knife’s edge after two professors’ killing

After the killing of two Karachi University (KU) professors, the department of mass communication has sought protection from the varsity management, Pakistan Today has learned through reliable sources.

The department’s committee wrote to the vice chancellor (VC) two times in a month to arrange security for the department, but, despite repeated reminders, the varsity management failed in providing security to the fearful staffers as yet.

Per details, the fearful teachers of the department of mass communication wrote a letter to the VC demanding security after murder of its Assistant Professor Dr Waheed-ur-Rehman near his residence in Federal B Area last month. When the varsity administration failed to provide security, the department again wrote another letter to the VC reminding him about its earlier letter.

In the letter, the department sought security of local police and paramilitary force with a claim that the department was situated on the border of the varsity and there were possibilities that anyone after the attack can easily manage to escape.

It may be pertinent to mention here that two professors of the varsity were shot dead in a short span of eight months and both attacks involved the department of mass communication directly or indirectly.

KU Islamic Studies Dean Prof Dr Shakil Auj was shot dead in Gulshan-e-Iqbal when he left the department of mass communication for Iranian Cultural Centre in September 2014. In April 2015, the department’s Assistant Professor Dr Waheed-ur-Rehman was shot dead when he left his residence for attending scheduled classes.

“After the killing of Dr Waheed-ur Rehman, the mass communication department’s committee held a meeting which was attended by Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) President Prof Dr Jameel Kazmi and others office-bearers, and it was decided that the department needs proper security as it is situated on sensitive location,” KU Mass Communication department Assistant Professor Osama Shafique said.

“After the departmental meeting, we wrote a letter to the VC and demanded security for the department,” Shafique said, adding: “When the varsity management remained fail to provide security then the department wrote another letter on May 20 and reminded the administration about the demand.”

“After repeated demands, the varsity has failed to provide the department with security as yet,” Shafique maintained.

Talking to Pakistan Today, KUTS President Jameel Kazmi claimed that the varsity has managed security for the department situated on sensitive location. “The personnel of paramilitary Rangers performed duty outside the department, but, I have come to know that they left the department within few minutes,” Kazmi added.

“I am in contact with the varsity management regarding security issues of the mass communication department which would be resolved shortly,” Kazmi maintained.