Students’ role in peacemaking stressed

LAHORE:Speakers at a seminar called upon the need for meaningful inclusion of students as peacemakers to create awareness among the people about the topics of peace, tolerance, acceptance, diversity and harmony.

The seminar was organised by Punjab University College of Earth and Environmental Sciences in collaboration with Centre for Health and Gender Equality (CHANGE) at Al Raazi Hall.

MPA Mussarat Jamshaid Cheema, Dr Sughra Sadaf, PTI leader Jamshaid Iqbal Cheema, CEES Principal Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad, faculty members and a large number of students participated in the event. Mussarat Jamshaid Cheema stressed on making efforts for the cause of peace by building capacities in particular skills through various platforms. Prof Dr Sajid Rashid Ahmad explained the role of students in peace building and recalled various past interventions that impacted the young people in society. protest: Punjab University Academic Staff Association on Wednesday boycotted classes for an hour and took out a protest rally to protest against 50 per cent cut in the budget of higher education. A large number of PU teachers led by PUASA president Prof Dr Mumtaz Anwar Ch and Secretary Javed Sami participated in the rally. The teachers were wearing black armbands and holding placards. They were demanding the government allocate budget to higher education as per demand and restore income tax rebate to teachers to 75 per cent. The teachers took out the rally from Al Raazi Hall to Faisal Auditorium.

Addressing the participants, Prof Dr Mumtaz Anwar Ch said that the university teachers rejected model universities act and it must not be implemented. He said that no country could progress without spending money on higher education sector. He said that HEC chairman had failed to present universities’ case before the government due to which teachers were observing black day.

He demanded the government increase M Phil/PhD allowance as per the notification of Sindh government. He said that the retirement age of teachers must be increased to 65 years. ASA Secretary Javed Sami said that the government must fulfill the promise it made at the time of elections.

moot: Punjab University Department of Social Work in collaboration with Migrant Resource Centre organised national conference in connection with International Migrants Day at Pervez Hassan Environmental Law Centre. The researchers highlighted the issues being faced by the migrants as well as the hosts.