Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: In the aftermath of violent clashes between two student groups, the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) administration is going to hold a meeting with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) officials today (Monday) to discuss the issue of campus security.

Sources privy to the development told Daily Times that the meeting had been called by Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Ashraf to discuss ways to end the frequent outbursts of violence between student groups at the university.

The meeting will try to come up with a long-term strategy to end violence.

“The meeting will be attended by the Islamabad commissioner, the vice chancellor, the deans of faculties of Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences as well as the register and deputy register,” the source said.

Saturday’s clash started when members of two student councils had clashed with each other. Around 50 students were injured.

After the incident, the Secretariat Police registered an FIR against 20 students. So far, only two of the suspects have been taken into custody.

Talking to Daily Times, a police official said that they were investigating the incident and more names could be added to the FIR in the upcoming days. “For this purpose, details are being sought from the two hospitals – the Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC) Hospital and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) – where the injured were taken after the clashes,” he said.

Dr Sohail Nadeem, the resident officer of the QAU, confirmed that the meeting was being held. He, however, did not disclose details. Despite repeated attempts, VC Dr Ashraf remained unavailable for comments.

Moreover, classes in the university will remain suspended. “The classes at QAU have been suspended till further notice. However, the university will remain open for staff and faculty members,” reads a directive issued by vice chancellor.

“Some senior faculty members of the varsity, including of representatives QAU’s Alumni, also held a meeting at the university premises on Sunday to discuss the clashes,” source said.

An official requesting anonymity said that after the meeting, the administration would forward the final recommendations to police.

Campus violence has become a routine matter in public sector universities. Several such incidents have been reported from various universities in the last couple of years. Authorities have failed to anticipate or control such incidents.

Several conferences have been held to discuss over the issue of campus violence.

On May 18, a VCs conference had been held at the General Head Quarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi. Two weeks ago, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) had also called a day-long VCs conference at a local hotel.

The QAU has faced similar incidents in the past. In January 2017, members of the Sindhi Students’ Council (SSC) and the Pakhtun Students’ Council (PSC) had clashed with each other. The unrest had continued for a week.

Protests and strikes by the QAU students’ councils have become a routine. While talking to Daily Times, a majority of the faculty members said that student councils should be banned to end the incidents of violence.