KARACHI: Karachi University (KU) teachers suspended academic activities on campus and staged a protest in front of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) on Monday, demanding action within 24 hours against students and security guards who recently allegedly subjected a KU teacher to violence.

The demonstration was held on the call of Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts).

“We look at this incident as an insult [to] all teachers and demand strict action against the students and the guards involved in violence,” said Dr Shah Ali ul Qadr heading the society, adding that KU teacher Dr Mustafa Haider was beaten up by some IBA students and security guards over a minor argument.

He regretted that no FIR had been registered even after two days since the incident.

The incident also led teachers to demand that the institute be shifted outside the KU campus since the university owned its land. They also called upon the KU administration to take over the responsibility of security of the entire campus.

“It’s the responsibility of the KU administration to get an FIR registered in this case. Also, the administration must not allow any institute to have its own, independent security on KU campus.”

Meanwhile the IBA, in a statement, condemned the incident and promised to work with KU teachers to resolve the matter amicably.

“The IBA Karachi strongly condemns any misconduct against teachers by any member of society. An altercation involving an IBA student and a faculty member from Karachi University is highly regrettable. The matter has been forwarded to the IBA Disciplinary Committee for necessary action. We will also invite a senior professor of KU to be part of this Disciplinary Committee.”

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2021