KU teachers decry absence of governor,CM from varsity’s convocation

Faculty members of the Karachi University have expressed their disappointment over the absence of Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair, who is the chancellor of government-run higher educational institutions, from the varsity’s 27th convocation held on Saturday. 

The Karachi University Teachers’ Society president, Dr Shakeel Farooqi, said teachers were disappointed over the absence of the provincial governor and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah from the varsity’s convocation. The governor, as per reports, attended a private programme in a local hotel but did not show up at the ceremony organised in honour of graduating students.

He said the varsity was that largest university of the country that catered to the educational needs of all quarters of life, especially moderate to low income groups.”Despite all their efforts and successes, the varsity students fail garner the attention of the varsity’s so-called patrons.”

He said though the provincial government was very much interested in making amendments in the Sindh Universities Law and crushing the autonomy of the universities, the governor and the CM could not spare time to spend few hours with the students and teachers. 

Dr Farooqi recalled that only few weeks back the governor had time to sit for hours in a private television channel programme about the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) but he forgot that he was awarded a degree by the University of Karachi, which used to run IBA when he was a student.

“A comfort zone created among so called elites seems to suit politicians of limited talent. Perhaps, the chief minister also forgot that NED University of Engineering and Technology also emerged from within the University of Karachi.” 

Dr Farooqi said that there was a hope that with the appointment of the new governor, the attitude of the government would be changed but, unfortunately, nothing seemed to be improved.

“We now do not see anything good coming to the public sector universities. The Sindh government continues to fail to honour the accords it signed with the teachers’ representatives, the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Staff Associations.”

Dr Farooqi, however, appreciated the presence of former Sindh educational minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, Senator Nehal Hashmi and Sindh Assembly opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan at the convocation without any protocol.

He emphasised the need of keeping educational institutions free of political appointments. He thanked members of the Karachi business community, led by Karachi Chamber of Commerce president Shamim Ahmed Firpo, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries to show up on the occasion.

He also expressed his gratitude to the delegation of the Bohra community lead by Murtaza Punawala for attending the convocation proceedings and lauded their interest support for the the Karachi University.

Varsity Teachers expressed that the governor and the CM skipped the convocation because they did not want to see that how difficult it was for the administration and teachers to run the city’s largest university in absence of sustainable grants.

  Khwaja Izhar’s criticism 

Speaking to the media during a break at the varsity’s convocation, Sindh Assembly opposition leader Khwaja Izharul Hassan criticised the absence of thee governor and the CM.

When Senator Nihal Hashmi tried to defend the governor’s absence as he said that a close relative of Zubair had died few days ago, Hasan told the media persons on the stage that the governor was attending a private programme and did not prefer to show up at the convocation ceremony. The MQM-P leader observed that the education minister should have attended the event in absence of the CM. He urged the CM Sindh to attach his top priorities to the city and its educational institutions.

Governor Zubair vows continued

support for minority communities

Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair has said that all religious minorities living in the province would be protected at all costs.  

“Not only are the minority communities independently carrying our their religious activities, but the government has also ensured their due representation from the federal level to the local bodies. From the Senate to local government institutions, minorities’ representatives can now raise and get their issues resolved," he said while talking to Bishop Sadiq Daniel who called on him at the Governor House on Monday.

The bishop briefed the governor about the different problems being faced by the minorities, including the hindrances to implementation of various welfare schemes in the minority areas. The governor acknowledged the services of Christian community in providing quality education, health facilities and in the LG bodies departments.

He said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had taken special initiatives for the welfare of the minorities in the country. He also assured full cooperation, on behalf of his office, for the betterment of all the minorities in Sindh.

The bishop thanked the governor for his support and commitment towards ensuring equal rights and facilities to all minorities.

Turkish envoy  

Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair said on Monday Turkey had always helped Pakistan in difficult times and both the countries shared strong ties of friendship.

The governor said this at a meeting with Consul General of Turkey Murat Mustafa Onart at the Governor House.

Zubair said the people of Pakistan and Turkey had a strong bond and Turkey had always been with Pakistan in the time of need. They discussed the Pak Turkey economic cooperation, investment opportunities in Sindh and other matters of their mutual interest.

The governor said the geographical location of Pakistan was very important and its importance had further increased due to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC. He said there were vast opportunities of foreign investment in the province, particularly in the Pakistan’s biggest city Karachi where all the offices of multi-national companies were located.

“Karachi is the economic hub of the country,” the governor said. The Turkish consul general appreciated the efforts of maintaining the law and order situation in the country. He said the Turk investors were interested in investing in Sindh.