KARACHI: Public universities across Sindh will boycott classes from Thursday as the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association’s (FAPUASA), rejected the process of postponing the selection board meeting at the University of Karachi by secretary universities and boards Mureed Rahimo.
On February 3, the Karachi University Teachers’ Association had announced an indefinite boycott of classes till their demand of holding the selection board was met.
Some government official had recently participated in selection board’s proceedings and declared them null and void on the grounds that the Karachi University administration had not taken prior approval for the process.
The teacher’s forum passed two unanimous resolutions; it agreed to continue its protest till the university holds the selection board proceedings, which was earlier scheduled for Jan 31 on the orders of Sindh High Court (SHC) but declared cancelled by the secretary, and the government removes the official.
The forum condemns the secretary’s attitude and demands from the chief minister to appoint an official on this post who is well aware of universities’ laws and procedures.
“If the demands are not accepted immediately, a Black Day will be observed in all the universities of Sindh on Wednesday, while a complete boycott of academic activities will be held on Thursday,” stated by Dr Naik Mohammad, president of FAPUASA’s Sindh Chapter on Tuesday (today).
Others such as Shah Ali Al-Qadr supported Dr. Naik’s stance, while addressing a press conference held at Karachi University. The teachers reiterated that no university would seek permission from the secretary or the selection board of the Sindh government.
Al-Qadir added that universities are run under the University Act and the secretary of universities and boards has insulted the Sindh Assembly and its representatives by violating the act.
On the matter of advertisements for the selection board, he stated, “Thousands of applications are received over vacancies advertised. It would be wrong to say there is no open competition.”
Furthermore, they demanded that a rotation policy should be followed in NED University and called for the resignation of the chairperson.
The teacher’s association has been protesting against the attitude of secretary Boards and Universities of Sindh and over the failure of the Sindh government to take action.
