Academic freedom?

This refers to the article, ‘The case for academic freedom’ (March 21) by Zaighum Abbas. Being an old Ravian of the 1950s myself, the article attracted my undivided attention. I would be telling a white lie if I said that I was not concerned about my alma mater of yester-years.

I have no reason not to believe what the writer has conveyed in this write-up, for the simple reason that no one who does not have any substance could be part of the academic staff of GCU-Lahore (as I know it), while the writer served in this capacity for four years. His unceremonious exit from the privileged job is regrettable. He mentions that ‘ his case, however, is not unique. Myriad other examples underline a broader trend of universities removing academics when they attempt to exercise academic freedom or unearth corruption within campus administrations.’ But all this is only one side of the story. I am sure that many other Ravians like me would like to listen to the views of those who are ‘running the show’ as they say at the GCU-Lahore today. We are all eagerly waiting for an early official response to this article.

M Masud Butt

Lahore