Security arrangements at universities reviewed

Governor says political activities on varsities premises
should not be allowed; VCs seek more funds to boost security

PESHAWAR: A meeting of the vice-chancellors chaired by Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan on Tuesday decided to review the security arrangements for all the universities of the province and resolved to take a strict action against the erring seats of learning if found negligent.

The meeting reviewed the situation emerging in the wake of the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University and overall security situation of the public sector universities in the province, said a handout.

It was also decided in the meeting that the security arrangements of all the universities of the province would be reviewed and a strict action would be taken against the erring universities in case of any negligence.

During the meeting, the vice-chancellors highlighted the security issues in universities. The governor, who is also the chancellor of public sector universities, assured them that the issues would be resolved on priority basis. He directed the relevant officials to contact the Higher Education Commission and provincial government for the allocation of the additional funds to the universities for their security.

Sardar Mahtab directed the relevant officials that the police deployed at the universities should ensure attendance and foolproof security of the varsities. The governor directed the relevant officers to contact the provincial government for training the staff of the university.

He said political activities on universities premises should not be allowed. He asked the vice-chancellors to promote the co-curricular activities. The governor was also briefed about the overall security situation of the public sector universities. He directed vice-chancellors to take more measures to ensure the foolproof security of the universities.

  “We would not allow the terrorists to continue their cowardly acts,” the governor said, adding, the terrorists and their facilitators would be rooted out from the country. He said the entire nation had declared the war on terrorism and stood united with the security forces to uproot the menace of militancy and terrorism.

The governor reaffirmed his commitment to take terrorists and their facilitators to task.  Earlier, the meeting started with prayers for those who lost their lives in the Bacha Khan University attack.

The governor paid tributes to brave security guards and other staff, students of the university and the local police for their effective and quick response to the terrorists attack. He also applauded the quick response of the Pak Army on the occasion. “Our youth are our future and we will not allow terrorists to continue their cowardly acts,” he added.