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