HYDERABAD, Feb 27: The controversy triggered by Senior Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy Pir Mazharul Haq’s harsh remarks over a proposed university in Hyderabad seems to be over without the much-feared public reaction now that the Sindh Assembly has adopted a resolution in favour of the move, vigorously pursued by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Until recently controversial, the university project has a long history. It was proposed way back in 1987 through a resolution tabled in the defunct Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC), then headed by (mayor) Aftab Ahmed Sheikh. The house adopted the resolution even in a situation where Hyderabad was embroiled in ethnic violence, a curfew had to be imposed again and again to stop killings, clashes and destruction and even the MQM-backed mayor survived a murderous attack. To some, his university initiative was one of the factors behind the attack.

It was in March 2012 that MQM chief Altaf Hussain speaking on the occasion of his party’s founding day called for ensuring establishment of the university. Interestingly, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) also led a campaign for the proposed university. However, the issue had never been taken up as seriously in the past as it is being pursued today.

Most people of Hyderabad district — even when it was not bifurcated in 2005 and used to have eight talukas — had been demanding the university for as long as one can remember. The issue had been considered along ethnic lines historically as well.

Hyderabad is the second largest district after Karachi even after its bifurcation during the Arbab-led Sindh government in April 2005. Its population is said to be between two million and 2.5 million.

The need for another university was felt as Sindh University environment has been adversely affected by official, unofficial and political interference. SU – an old institution still considered a name to be reckoned with — has intermittently been witnessing clashes between armed students and law-enforcement agencies. Many students and teachers have lost their lives in violent incidents over the past three decades.

Information gathered by Dawn shows that the local administration has identified the land for the proposed Hyderabad university on the outskirts of the city. The proposal was finalised and communicated to the Sindh governor and government.

The present provincial assembly has given its approval for the establishment/upgrade of at least half a dozen universities in the province. They include Chandka, Veterinary University, Sakrand, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi, People’s Medical University, Benazirabad, Benazir Bhutto Medical University, Larkana, and Lyari University, Karachi.

The education minister’s remarks opposing the setting up of Hyderabad university last Saturday caused the MQM to see red and demand immediate tabling of the relevant bill. It urged the PPP to prove its claim to being fair in politics and committed to the cause of education. The minister explained his remarks and the MQM accepted and welcomed the explanation. The controversy subsided accordingly.

MQM deputy parliamentary leader Faisal Sabzwari says: “We were told that there is an issue of its location and we told them that the house should at least approve its charter and then the location can be discussed”.

For JI, another university within Hyderabad district is vitally needed. “Given the fact that the district’s present urban centres have reached a saturation point as far as settlements, population and commercial activities are concerned, let it be set up either in Gulistan-i-Sarmast off Tando Mohammad Khan Road or Qasimabad,” says local JI leader Sheikh Shaukat.

Nationalist leaders including Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) chairman Dr Qadir Magsi say that in principle they don’t have any objection over the new university. “It is actually university’s policy, its venue and environment that matter,” says Dr Magsi, who warns that if a university is established anywhere on a lingual basis or to promote a particular community then the STP will oppose it.