NED issues notice to student for raising fund for Palestinians

Karachi: The NED University of Engineering and Technology has served a show-cause notice to its student, Zaeem ur Rehman, over raising a fund for Palestinians on the campus.

The show-cause notice issued by the university’s registrar stated that on October 25, Rehman along with his friend was collecting donations for a "Palestine Fund" as the representative of a religious political party on the campus, without obtaining permission from the varsity.

Such an act is equal to misconduct, the notice reads, adding that the student violated the varsity’s regulations for discipline, conduct, welfare and code of honour as well as the undertaking provided by him.

The notice, dated October 30, 2023, sought an explanation from the student for his act within seven days.

Rehman, in his reply, said he and other students had decided to raise funds at the varsity for the people of Palestine who are suffering from Israeli atrocities. He added that the donation boxes were seized by the university security before the collection drive could start.

He said the security personnel told him and his fellows that raising funds on the campus was not allowed, without the permission of the varsity administration. Following this, he said he moved an application before the university registrar, which to his surprise was rejected later.

He contested the claims made against him in the notice by the varsity, saying that he wanted to support Palestinians on a humanitarian basis and had no political motivations. He hoped that the university would not take any disciplinary action against him and would resolve this matter amicably. Rehman said the show-cause notice caused him and his family distress.