Punjab University looked like a battlefield once again after a clash occurred between two student union groups on Tuesday that left over 15 students injured.
The Pakhtun Education Development Movement (PEDM) was celebrating Pakhtun Culture Day at the university when they were attacked by the Jamat-e-Islami (JI)’s student wing, Islami Jamiat Taliba (IJT).
Speaking to Pakistan Today, Abdul Waris Khan, a Pakhtun student from Quetta who was present there at the time of the scuffle, said that the university’s Pakhtuns had organised the culture day with the permission of the university administration.
“We sought permission one month ago but we came to know that the IJT also received permission to hold their own event on the same day, just two days ago,” Khan said. He believes that the IJT only held their function to spite the Pakhtun Culture Day celebrations.
He further added that most of the attackers were called in from the JI’s Mansoora headquarters as the IJT had lost their previous strength within the university after the emergence of an on-campus Pakhtun union in the recent past.
“We were representing Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi, and Paktun – all – cultures, when we were attacked by the IJT in the presence of police officials,” Khan said.
A heavy contingency of police was called in to control the situation, along with several ambulances, prison vans, and water cannons. A large number of students were present and eventually the police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Several clashes have been reported since the incumbent Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Mueen Nasar took charge of his office in December last year. Senior faculty members of the university claim that the new VC is an outsider and therefore cannot understand the university’s student politics.
“Former vice chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran was a smart man and masterfully handled both the student unions during his long tenure,” a senior faculty member told this scribe.
Sindh Student Council President Jaan Muhammad, told Pakistan Today that the function was a celebration of all Pakistani cultures. “The incumbent VC has failed miserably to rein in the criminal activities of the IJT,” he said.
On the other hand, the IJT claims that Pakhtun students attacked them first and destroyed their photo exhibition that they had set up in connection with Pakistan Day.
Provincial Minister for Higher Education Department Raza Ali Gillani, who had earlier addressed the event and departed before the clash took place, came back to the university to chair a meeting regarding the incident.
A fact finding committee was formed by him under the chair of the vice chancellor which has been taked with presenting a report on the incident within ten days.
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also taken notice of the incident, ordering an investigation and seeking a report from the CCPO.
Pakistan is democratic state we must respect all the races and castes……
FCUK the IJT
Shamefully quite biased reporting going on. Pashtun cultural day being posed as ” presentation of all cultures”. They should’ve condemned racist group attack on female students event in connection to “Pakistan Day”, that deserved to be celebrated. When will u become unbised & mature, Our media????
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