Islamia college students clash

Controversial speech leads to clash in university
Peshawar, March 07: Speech of a television anchor led to severe firing in the air with automatic weapons and protest demonstration on the premises of the Islamia College University here on Saturday.

At least 12 students were taken into custody by police from campus of the Peshawar University when they tried to create disturbance in a programme where an anchor of a private television channel Zaid Hamid was busy speaking to the students, police and students said.

The students also staged a protest demonstration and tried to chase the speaker but police controlled the situation by arresting the leading protesters. It was learnt that some students had also opened fire in the air but police did not confirm it.

An official of the campus police station said that a group of students had tried to beat the speaker Zaid Hamid but the personnel took timely action and overcame the situation.

The police source said the programme had been arranged despite the police reports about the possible reaction but the university administration did not pay attention to the reports of security agencies and permitted the programme.

However, a student Tariq Afghan of Pakhtun Students Federation told this correspondent that the students had pelted stones at the car of the TV anchor and chanted slogans against him.

The workers of Islamia College, another source said, had also shouted slogans against Zaid Hamid and condemned the university administration for giving permission to hold the programme. The IJT workers also displayed posters against the speaker.

"The students also chanted slogans against NWFP governor and university administration for what they described as an attempt to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the campus through controversial speakers," the source said.

The Amn Tehrik leaders including Idress Kamal, managed to get the students released and held a demonstration against such speakers.

Mr Kamal said the Amn Tehrik leaders would hold a press conference on Monday against Zaid Hamid and those who had permitted him to speak in the university.

"We have already suffered a lot due to the suicide bombers and militants and do not want those promoting the extremists," he said. Dawn

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Kidnapping of KUST Vice Chancellor
Peshawar: After observing no significant development in efforts for the recovery of the kidnapped vice-chancellor of the Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST), his family and friends have sought the help of the President and the Chief Justice of Pakistan to secure his release.

"We, the sisters, brothers and other family members of Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel request President Asif Ali Zardari to help recover the vice-chancellor who has been in the captivity of the kidnappers for the past four months," said an open letter by the family of the missing educationist.

They also asked Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to help recover the educationist who promoted information technology across the province.

"Dr Lutfullah is a creative and hardworking scientist who created opportunities for many Pakistanis in the University of Peshawar and later in Kohat. He established the Department for Computer Science at UoP in 1984," recalled the open letter addressed to the president.

"He established several technical institutes in various districts of the province while serving as an advisor to the then governor of NWFP. He is author of several books. The services rendered by the educationist cannot be erased from history," said the letter.

The family of Dr Lutfullah is concerned about his health as he was suffering from high blood pressure, impaired cholesterol, fatigue and weakness. "The government seems least bothered to recover the educationist," the family members complained.

Earlier the matter was discussed on a number of occasions with NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, who also happens to be the chancellor of KUST as well as administrative head of the tribal areas.

Dr Lutfullah, who served as an advisor to the former NWFP governor Lt Gen (R) Iftikhar Hussain Shah on education and information technology, was kidnapped from Akhurwal area in the restive Darra Adamkhel while on way from Kohat to his home in Peshawar on November 6 last year.

His driver and another companion were later freed while there have been no reports about his whereabouts. Despite a decisive operation launched in Darra Adamkhel and other towns of the semi-tribal Frontier Regions of Kohat and Peshawar, the security forces could not recover the missing vice-chancellor.

The students and teachers of the KUST as well as University of Peshawar (UoP) and other institutions staged protest to press the government for early recovery of Dr Lutfullah. Daily times

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Annual day celebrated
Peshawar: The students enthralled the audience with poetry, plays and tableau as the Elizabeth Girls School and College celebrated its annual day here Saturday.

The nursery rhymes, national songs, skits and characterisation of eminent literati of the past impressed the audience, who were mostly parents.

The ceremony was arranged under the supervision of the Edwardes School and College at the Elizabeth Girls School and College in Dabgari Garden, where two hundred students are enrolled.

The programme started behind the schedule due to rain. The children of class third, fourth and fifth welcomed the chief guest, Bishop of Church of Pakistan Sarfaraz Humphrey Peter by performing a classical dance.

Administrator of the Edwardes School and College, Cornelius Asghar in his address said the ceremony was an annual feature, which was meant for boosting co-curricular talent of the students.

Asked why she had preferred to study in the institution, Rawish Ilyas, a student of BA 4th year, said that the quality of education and friendly educational environment was the main reason for being at this seat of learning.

Mrs Faiz, who has been teaching Islamic History, Islamic education and Law at the institution for the last 15 years, said she had had a long stay at the institution as it was a friendly place for both teachers and students and was reputed for its high standard of education.

The chief guest in his speech said it was heartening to see the children taking part in co-curricular activities. "Our aim is to impart the best possible education to the children along with providing them co-curricular activities which was equally important to shape their personality," he added. The news

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