Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) reopened on Friday following a settlement between protesting students and university officials.

A large number of students and faculty members reached the university on Friday as the university administration had said that the teaching and other academic activities would resume.

Students seeking fresh admission in the university were also visiting various departments.

QAU had been closed since October 4 – approximately 16 days – when its students launched a demonstration to voice their protest against a 10 percent addition to the fees.

As the protests began, the students had blocked the university’s main road and refused to allow buses to enter the campus.

“The university issued a notification late on Thursday, stating that it has retracted its decision to make a 10 percent upward revision in the fees,” its vice-chancellor disclosed, adding that the students had ended their protest.

“The talks between protesting students and university administration have been successful, culminating in the university reopening its gates on Friday,” Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Captain (r) Mushtaq Ahmad said.

“It is not advisable to take any action in education institutes that may have a negative impact on the country’s image,” Ahmad added.

The deputy commissioner noted that 12 out of the students’ 13 demands pertained to the university’s administration. “Their biggest demand was related to fees,” he said.

The students claimed that they were protesting for better facilities in the hostel and for the cancellation of a recent hike in fees.

However, QAU officials said their real demand was the reinstatement of students who were expelled after recent clashes in the university.

Published in Daily Times, October 21^st 2017.