Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at universities across the country in the wake of information that elements having close relations with the Islamic State (IS) were present there.

Authorities are also pushing for scrutinising and grilling university students and staff members following the recent arrest of ‘Daesh’ supporters from educational institutions.

Credible sources told Daily Times on Monday that law enforcement agencies (LEA) had conducted search operations at various universities of the country, including the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), after receiving information about the existence of elements having links with IS. There were also reports regarding distribution of hate literature at various universities, which prompted the authorities to monitor all such activities.

In this regard, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), with the collaboration of law enforcers and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) authorities, has decided to prepare a special software for the identification of such elements, and to collect data of students, teachers and other staff members of the universities.

The project to install CCTV cameras at hostels of these universities is also being implemented to monitor the activities of students. “Through a special software, complete record of students and details of their residences will be collected,” said a source.

When contacted, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed told Daily Times that special measures were being taken to protect the universities from terrorism, while CCTV cameras would be installed at universities to protect students from terrorists. “Data of those studying at universities across the country is being collected and protected with the collaboration of NADRA,” he said.