BZU students end protest after minister’s assurance

LAHORE
Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan on Tuesday assured the students of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Lahore campus of resolving the problems of their campus after which students ended their protest.
According to a handout, the minister assured the representative delegation of students that educational career of students of BZU sub- campus would be safeguarded and degrees would be awarded to the students completing educational course. “The legal status of BZU Lahore campus was not affected due to arrests and embezzlement by some persons therefore students should continue their studies”, he added.
Rana Mashhood also said that on the special instructions of the chief minister, students of sub-campuses of all universities should be sure that the government would not allow their educational year and fees to go waste.
He said the protection of future of these students was basic responsibility of the government. He said that those involved in embezzlement in BZU Lahore campus would meet their logical end however, there was no fault of students in this matter as acquiring education was their basic right.
Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, its Chairperson Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said the HEC had notified a four-member committee to resolve the issue of students studying at unlawful Campus of BZU in Lahore within two weeks, without making any compromise on quality.
The Committee includes Dr. Raza Bhatti, Executive Director HEC, Dr. Tahir Amin, VC, BZU Multan, Mr. Muhammad Ismail, Consultant Quality Assurance, HEC, Secretary, Higher Education Department, Punjab and Mr. Raza Chohan, DG, Accreditation and Attestation, HEC.
The chairman said the prime minister has directed HEC that all universities in public and private sector be given 90 days to plug shortfalls in complying with different HEC criteria.
“Institutions not following HEC procedure will be handled under the law. All legal and administrative actions would be taken to restrict functioning of such institutions,” said Dr Mukhtar Ahmed.