Islamabad, Sep 3: The ‘illegal detention’ of KU associate professor and syndicate member Dr. Riaz Ahmed prompted professors to protest on Monday, leading to the suspension of classes at the University of Karachi (KU). On August 31, while traveling to a syndicate meeting, Dr. Ahmed was taken into custody by the police.
According to a news statement from the Karachi institution professors’ Society (KUTS), a sizable contingent of professors assembled in front of the administration block of the institution to express their disapproval of the arrest.
Both Prof. Dr. Shah Ali Ul Qader, President of KUTS, and President of the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association, Munawar Abbas, vehemently denounced the occurrence, calling it an insult to the teaching community as a whole.
Mr. Abbas demanded that the “Protection of Teachers Bill” be passed by the Sindh Assembly.
Prof. Qader stressed that educators are the backbone of the government and issued a strong warning that maltreatment of this kind would not be allowed. He emphasized that rather than getting involved in politics, institutions should concentrate on teaching and learning.
He denounced the outside pressure on the institution, calling it an affront to educators’ dignity and a betrayal of KU’s autonomy. In addition, he insisted on holding accountable those in charge of Dr. Riaz’s “illegal detention.”
On August 31, Dr. Riaz was stopped by police on route to a syndicate meeting; he was freed after eight hours.
