Islamia College University students protest

Police thrashed ICU students in Peshawar
Peshawar, Dec 17: The Islamia College University (ICU) campus police tear-gassed and baton-charged students who were protesting against rustication of several students here on Wednesday.

Several students were injured in the police action and were shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital, one of the students said. Police also arrested five students, who were later released, as there was no charge against them.

The students had gathered at the main entrance to the university to stage the protest demo. They did not allow any vehicle to enter the university' The students were of the opinion that the university administration had rusticated 300 students for being short on attendance from classes. The students have been asked to deposit Rs 200 for reinstatement, which the protesting students said was an injustice.

The students said those rusticated belonged to the conflict areas and due to the peculiar situation in their hometowns, they were unable to attend the classes.

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Concern voiced over cutting of trees in varsities
Peshawar: The Sarhad Conservation Network (SCN) has expressed concern over cutting of trees at the campuses of the University of Peshawar (UoP) and Islamia College University (ICU) and termed it a great loss to the environment and heritage.

The recent tree-cutting drive by the UoP administration was launched against all varieties of mulberry species. Such trees were declared harmful for causing allergy. Without adequate research, the ICU blindly followed the UoP administration, resulting in loss of precious biodiversity of the campus, said a press release of the SCN.

According to a research fellow at the Botany Department, UoP, "Of the several species, two, namely, Morus alba commonly known as paper mulberry and the ornamental variety, the flowering Gul toot, called Brousonetia papyrifera are common. Only male variety causes allergy while female tree does not". Generally, the male to female proportion is 1:10.

According to a research only 1 individual amongst a 100,000 population is prone to allergic response. The UoP mostly has the Gul toot variety, which is quite old without any reported cases of allergy.

Sources at the UoP alleged that the administration used one pretext or another, to get huge profits from the scheming timber contractors that have ravaged most natural heritage in the city and would not hesitate to deface this reputable institution. "We will plant more trees" was the answer when the SCN team met the administration of both UoP and ICU.

Urging NWFP governor to take action as chancellor of the university, the SCN said it was also high time the civil society stood up for once and demand accountability of the erring administrations that has routinely used subterfuge in felling the precious history of the university campus. The news

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Concerns over poor education in Balochistan
Quetta: Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi on Wednesday expressed his concern over the poor state of education in the province and recommended that the government appoint teachers on merit instead of a political basis.

Speaking at a press conference at the Government Law College after opening the regional office of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Magsi regretted the declining state of education in Balochistan.

According to the governor, the reason for poor state of education in the province was the appointment of teachers on a political basis instead of keeping the educational credentials of the candidates in view.

"I wonder why our people keep talking of independence and do not pay attention to education," he said, adding the provincial government should take notice of political appointments in the education sector.

"All appointments of teachers should be made via the Balochistan Public Service Commission, so that competent people manage to get the job," he added. Rejecting the term 'Balochistan package', he said the proper title was Aghaze Haqooqe Balochistan. "The word 'package' makes the people feel as if they are being given some charity.

What the government has granted Balochistan is in fact the genuine right of the province which it had been deprived of for 62 years," he said. He appreciated the recent consensus developed between the provinces and the federal government on the National Finance Commission Award.

He said the 1973 constitution advocated the provision of provincial autonomy to the federating units. Refraining to make any direct comments about Baloch nationalists' decision to reject the Balochistan package, Magsi said it was up to them (nationalists) to avail the opportunity offered to them or reject it. Daily times

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AMC evening classes
Abbottabad: The Post-Graduate Medical Institute and Dental College would start functioning at the Ayub Medical Complex next year.

Talking to reporters, Chief Executive of the Ayub Medical Complex (AMC) Naeem Shahzad said that evening classes under the self-finance scheme would also be introduced during the next academic year as the Health Ministry had approved all the three projects.

He said all three projects would not only create jobs opportunities but also help provide improved health facilities.

He added that with the establishment of PGMI, the funds of the complex will increase which would help in buying new equipment and enhanced research activities. The news

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