Clash at Quaid-i-Azam university Islamabad

Quaid-i-Azam University clash left several injured
Islamabad, Oct 14: A clash between two groups of students on the premises of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) on Tuesday evening left at least a dozen persons injured, police and university officials said.

The reason behind the clash was yet to be ascertained but the preliminary investigation said a group of students wearing Sindhi caps got provoked when another group of students started hooting at them in Hostel No 7 at around 6:45pm.

A harsh argument ensued that led to a scuffle between the students. Some students carrying batons joined the groups and restored to baton charge on their rivals. During the brawl, the students also pelted each other with stones.

The situation deteriorated when armed supporters of both the groups reached the spot and opened fire.

As a result, over a dozen students from both the groups suffered injuries and were shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and the dispensary of Hostel No 6.

The university administration when contacted said "the young blood" had got provoked over a petty issue. They said officials of the university along with the local police were engaged in negotiations with the two groups to settle the issue.

The administration said it was shocking that the students had resorted to firing, adding some ex-students were still residing in the hostels and had brought weapons to the university premises.

They said search for weapons would be conducted in the hostels to avoid such incidents in the future.

The police said the incident took place over allotment of a hostel room.

The police reached the spot but the university administration wanted to settle the issue without their interference, they added.

However, some of the students having no affiliation with any student organisation said two groups of students from Sindh and Punjab had been engaged in frequent clashes for the last 10 months.

"Students affiliated with Punjab Council attacked their rivals and injured them. Dawn

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20 percent raise in scientists' salaries proposed
Islamabad: To lure scientists, the Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed a special pay scale offering 20 per cent raise in their salaries and in this regard a summary has been sent to the prime minister for approval, TheNation learnt.

The proposed pay scale designed along the lines of the Tenure Track System of the public sector universities permits accelerated promotions based on performance rather than seniority and upgradation of posts to avoid frustration of the younger scientists due to lack of promotion.

It has been learnt that the BPS salary system prevailing in the organisations of the ministry and other public sector organisations has failed to attract and retain good quality science and technology manpower in such organizations. In addition to the brain drain to foreign countries, an internal brain drain is taking place where the more capable scientists are being attracted to the universities and the strategic research organisations.

"Even fresh graduates recruited after a lengthy selection process either do not join or leave after few months of joining for better jobs in the universities or other private organisation. And as the ministry does not offer hefty salary packages according to their services and qualifications 33 per cent posts in BPS 17 to BPS 22 in the organizations of the ministry are lying vacant", an official informed.

Besides the salary, lack of promotions and career advancement opportunities are major factors in the demoralisation of the scientists working in the public sector research organizations. This is mainly due to the small size of the majority of the organisation, which severally limits the opportunities for career advancement, he further added.

To address the issue, it has been proposed to form a single cadre for the employees of the organisations under the ministry to facilitate the lateral movement whose promotion might otherwise be blocked.

According to experts to ensure that the investment made by the government in establishing the science and technology infrastructure and the training of the science and technology manpower is used productively, it is necessary to provide conducive environment and favourable working conditions to the scientists and technologists working in the research establishments. The nation

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Poor quality food being served to Government college hostel
Rawalpindi: Students residing in hostels of Government Gordon College, Government Degree College (Satellite Town) and Asghar Mall College have complained about the poor accommodation and low quality food being served to them.

They alleged that hostel wardens are least bothered about the poor condition of hostels and mess rooms. According to them, hostel rooms are in a shabby condition.

A student of first year at Government Degree College, Satellite Town, told 'The News' that the condition of hostel rooms and the quality of food served in the mess is very poor. According to him, students had filed several complaints with the hostel warden but to no avail.

He said that the college administration had awarded the contract of the mess to a man who was least bothered about the health of students. "As many as 40 students are forced to live in seven rooms of the hostel," he said.

The hostel warden of Government Degree College, Satellite Town, Dr Muhammad Rafique, when contacted by 'The News,' said that a committee of students is running the mess of the hostel.

He said that he would check the quality of food served in the mess in case of any complaint.

A student of Government Postgraduate College, Asghar Mall, said that both hostels are in a dilapidated condition. He alleged that the warden never visits the hostel.

A student of the Government Gordon College said that poor quality food is served in the mess of the hostel. "All students are perturbed over poor quality food and unhygienic rooms," he added.

The hostel warden of Government Postgraduate College (Asghar Mall), Ishtiaq Qamar, and the hostel warden of Government Gordon College, Dr. Irshad Chattha, when contacted by 'The News,' rejected the allegations against them. However Director Colleges Dr. Muhammad Ashraf said that he would call a meeting of all hostel wardens and look into the matter. The news

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SSC exam toppers honoured
Rawalpindi: A smartly turned out contingent of the Punjab police presented Guard of Honour to 27 girl students, the top position-holders in annual secondary school certificate examination 2009 in Murree on Tuesday.

The police band also played tunes of national anthem and other national songs. The students from the education boards of Multan, DG Khan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi are on a four-day study and recreational tour to Murree on the special invitation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

These top position-holders will stay in the Punjab House Murree as the state guests. They will visit Patriata, Bhurban, Ayubia, Nathia Gali, Khanspur and other important visiting points during their tour.

Murree Deputy District Officer (Revenue) Nadim Sarwar received the students on behalf of the chief minister and presented them bouquets on their arrival. Punjab DG Protocol Asjad Ghani Tahir, Comptroller Punjab House Murree Muhammad Wasim and other officers of Tehsil Administration Murree were also present on this occasion.

Addressing the students, Sarwar said on account of the tremendous achievements and successes of the youth, especially the students, one could believe that the future of Pakistan was very bright and enviable.

He congratulated the top position-holders and said women being more than half of the population of the country should equip themselves with education and knowledge to ensure their active participation in the national development.

He said the Punjab government was spending billions of rupees on education section to promote education. He said for the first the first time in the history of the country, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif honoured the top position-holder students as "State Guest" and offered them study and recreational tour of important tourist resorts like Murree.

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PMAS-AAUR hold orientation ceremony
Rawalpindi: An orientation ceremony for the newly admitted students was held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on Tuesday.

The ceremony is a regular activity of the university which is arranged for newly-enrolled students to familiarise them with the university environment.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan welcomed the new students and congratulated them for becoming part of a prestigious institution. He said the university provided a conducive environment that enabled the students to develop their academic moral and spiritual excellence.

He stressed the students to work hard and focus on research activities with an aim to lead the country towards progress and prosperity. Daily times

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KIU peace walkers left for Islamabad
Gilgit: Two students of the Karakoram International University (KIU), Ejaz and Asghar Rumi, left for Islamabad as the second phase of their Khunjerab to Karachi Peace Walk started here on Tuesday.

Earlier, when they reached the capital city Gilgit, they were given a rousing welcome. Hundreds of students of the KIU along with the vice-chancellor and faculty members received them near the university campus.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, VC Prof Najma Najam appreciated the students for their courage and passion for promoting peace and unity. Such healthy activities would be helpful for crating a healthy and pluralistic society, she added.

Later, the students took out a rally from the Chinar Bagh Bridge as hundreds of common people from the capital city, Gilgit, joined the participants. PPP leader Islamuddin, PML-N leader Haji Abid Ali and others were also present on the occasion.

When the rally reached the historic Chinar Bagh, special prayers for peace and prosperity of the region and country were offered at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada. The rally then crossed Kashrote locality, the NLI Market and a gathering was held at the Itehad Chowk.

Addressing the gathering, participants urged citizens to bring peace in the society by spreading message of love. The people from Hunza and Gojal arranged a musical event in the evening.

Their countrywide peace walk started from Khunjerab Pass, the borderland between Pakistan and China, on October 4 and would conclude in Karachi. Dawn

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