Kohat university expels 10 students
KOHAT, June 23: The Kohat University of Science and Technology on Thursday expelled 10 students as boycott of classes continued for the second day in protest against lack of facilities. Vice-Chancellor Zabita Khan warned the students that if they did not end their protest, criminal cases would be filed against them.
The students who have been expelled are: Asif, Rehman, Tariq Shah, Baz Mohammad, Hashim, Jehanzeb, Shah Zeb, Azmat, Hafiz Usman and Imran.
The vice-chancellor has also banned the entry of journalists in the campus for the coverage of the student protest after which newsmen announced a boycott of all university functions.
The KUST administration called police to stop protests by students who had gathered in front of the vice-chancellor’s office on Thursday, demanding concessions in hostel and tuition fees, transport facility and appointment of teaching staff.
It may be recalled that the KUST which was established about four years ago has no hostel within its campus limits and the administration has hired private buildings in far-flung areas where students had to pay electricity bills and spend a huge amount of money on conveyance every month.
The students have demanded an inquiry into the university affairs and immediate transfer of the vice-chancellor, who, they alleged, had been using force against them.
PROTEST: Meanwhile, students have threatened to launch a ‘save university movement’ if their problems are not resolved immediately.
Hundreds of students gathered in front of the vice-chancellor’s office on Wednesday and chanted slogans.
They were holding placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands including provision of water in hostels, concession in transport, hostel and academic fees and appointment of staff in all faculties.
They alleged that the university administration had been organizing ground-breaking ceremonies for hostels and libraries for the past over two years but no actual construction had taken place.
“The ground-breaking of girls tribal hostel has been performed at least for three times but not even foundations of the building could be seen at the site.”