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Weapons & explosives unearthed at Punjab University
Bag full of weapons and explosives unearthed at Punjab University
Lahore, Sep 22: Fear gripped the Punjab University (PU) hostel students on Sunday after
a bag containing automatic weapons and explosives was found buried under a tree,
resulting in the immediate tightening of security measures.
PU Hostel
Security In-charge Arshad Butt said that some children had found the
bag while digging under the tree and informed a gardener, who had discovered
weapons from the bag upon closer inspection, and notified the authorities.
PU Chief Security Officer Abdulrahman Siyal said that they
had recovered five Kalashnikovs, 12 hand grenades, 12 magazines and 1,280
bullets from the bag. He said that the weapons had been handed over to the
Muslim Town Police Station.
Administration and students, expressing
their concern over security, said that political groups might be involved in the
incident. A PU security official admitted that the weapons had most likely been
buried by one of the political groups in the varsity, against which the
administration had taken action in the past.
Condition: The Muslim Town
Police Station Station House Officer (SHO) confirmed that the administration had
handed over the weapons to the police, however, he said that the condition of
the armaments pointed towards them being buried a long time ago.
Safe: A
PU student, Rehan, said that the incident was a result of poor
security measures around the campus. He said that a number of incidents of
mobile phone snatching and motorcycle theft had taken place inside the varsity.
He also said that the incident had shown students that they were no longer safe
on campus. Another student said that the incident had been staged by the
administration in order to draw attention away from various issues facing the
institution, including the current tension between the Vice-Chancellor and the
teaching staff.
A female student, Saima, said that the administration
was wrong to blame political groups for the incident. She said that the incident
was a failure on the part of the administration, adding that female students
were not satisfied with the security around the girls' hostels. She demanded
that the administration take steps to increase security for female students.
Responsible: PU Academic Staff Association (PUASA) President Dr Mumtaz
Ahmad Salik said that the recovery of weapons from the university was very
disturbing and demanded that security measures be increased around the
institution. He said that it seemed like terrorists were now turning to
educational institutions, adding that no political group inside the university
could be responsible for hiding the weapons.
Investigation: PU Islami
Jamiat Talaba (IJT) Nazim Rana Zahid said that the since the administration had
recovered the weapons, they were in a better position to know the facts. He said
that the days when students kept weapons at the varsity had passed, and demanded
an investigation into the matter.
'PU administration unable to take action against alleged militants'
Lahore: University Students Federation (USF) Media Secretary
Munawar Saleem Ahmad said that students belonging to the USF condemned the
weapons and explosive materials recovered, especially after the recent bombing
of the Marriott Hotel, the aftershocks of which are still being felt across the
country. He said that while this was a unique incident for the PU, university
students, through the media, had expressed their concerns to the administration
and the governor about illegal residents who were suspected to be trained
militants a few months ago. He said that they had asked the government to take
action against the illegal residents, however, the administration had been
unable to do so. He added that the USF students appealed to the administration
to take strict notice of the incident and to bring those responsible to justice
immediately. Daily Times
Your Comments
"i want to date sheet of B.sc. Please anyone."
Name: simrun
Email: simrun_2000@yahoo.com
City, Country: rawalpindi, Pakistan
Post your comments
A prologue to violence on campus?
Lahore: The discovery of dangerous ammunition at the Punjab University on Sunday not
only exposed flawed security arrangements but also the threat of violent student
politics, which had been looming on the horizon since the restoration of student
unions in educational institutions of the country.
It is fortunate that a
tragic situation has been avoided, by chance, as the PU administration stumbled
upon the ammunition, including Kalashnikovs and hand grenades from one of its
grounds near the university's Hostel No 1 at the New Campus. No one exactly
knows who dumped these weapons, however, it is clear that they were meant for
bloodshed.
The history of student politics has not been encouraging in
our country. There had been several incidents in different universities and
colleges of the country in which innocent students lost their lives. Recently,
some students were killed at the Karachi University during a clash between
different student organisations while bloodshed in connection with student
politics had also taken place at the Punjab University in the past. Despite ban
on student unions for a long time, the educational institutions, especially
public sector universities and colleges had been strongholds of different
student organisations.
The decision about restoration of the student
unions by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani had shown mixed response from the
public, however, the majority of people had been demanding political parties
stay away from student organisations. They argue that students are used by
political parties to promote their hidden agendas, which lead to clashes and
violence among them.
The news about discovery of ammunition spread panic
and shock among the PU students and teachers alike, among the boarding students
who have demanded thorough inquiry into the matter. They criticised the PU
administration for poor security arrangements, saying ammunition were dumped
within the university while the administration remained unaware.
"This is
unbelievable, the universities are supposed to be houses of knowledge and it is
responsibility of the administration to provide a peaceful academic environment
to the students," said a student Irfan, adding it was unfortunate that the
university administration failed to maintain proper security.
"If the PU
gardeners had not stumbled upon the ammunition what havoc would have been
played," questioned a senior PU teacher who did not wish to be named. He
maintained it was for the first time in history of the PU that ammunition on
such a large scale had been discovered, adding that the administration should
beef up the security.
A number of students and teachers also demanded the
prime minister to change his decision regarding restoration of student unions,
saying the country had witnessed enough bloodshed among different students
groups.
Azeem, a student, said he was against the restoration of student
unions as it led to violence among the students, adding that the students were
supposed to be learners at universities and colleges but they were used by
different political parties.
Your Comments
"Hi, I am studying in punjab university and i totally agree the point that the decision of restoration of student unions should be taken aback. The history tells us that whenever education had been used for political purposes than the it resulted in hoax. As for as Punjab University is concerned that it is worth mentioning that Vice Chancellor is against the participation of students in politics. But prime minister`s decesion make his effort weaker. The need of hour is that there should be a complete ban on students organizations and students should take part in studies and work for the betterment of country."
Name: hassan bukhari
Email: hassanbukhari220@gmail.com
City, Country: lahore,pakistan
Post your comments
Age limit for CSS
Lahore: The last government declared 28 years as the upper age limit for appearing in
the competitive exams which used to be 30 years before this decision. This was a
setback for many a candidate. The present government had initially decided to
ponder over this matter but so far nothing has been done in this regard. I
request the newly elected president, Asif Zardari, and the authorities concerned
to please set 30 years as the age limit at their earliest because the FPSC is
about to announce rules and regulations for year 2009. A number of CSS aspirants
are looking forward to the president's decision in this respect.
By Haider Mahmood Butt (The News)
Your Comments
"I strongly support the point forwarded by Mr. Haider in The News dated 22nd Sep, 08. It is requested by many aspirants from all over the country especially the rural areas. Hopefully we will see 30 years in the rules and regulations as upper age limit for the fresh candidates for CSS 2009 and onwards."
Name: C.R.B
Email: safsams@gmail.com
City, Country: LHR, Pakistan
Post your comments
No fee concessions anger MAO College students
Lahore: The future of hundreds of students of the MAO College is
at stake after the withdrawal of fee concession and installments.
Most
government-run colleges grant concession of fees and installments to deserving
students from college funds. In addition, students who opt for admission in the
second shift are allowed to deposit their fees in installments, however, the MAO
College has refused to grant this facility. This situation is adversely
affecting hundreds of students of the college. The fees for the BCom students
range from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per annum and for MA/MSc they are Rs 24,000 per
annum, but most of the students cannot deposit the fees at one time.
According to sources, former principal Prof Maqsoodul Hassan had granted
concession of fees and installments during his tenure following which most of
the students deliberately avoided depositing their fees, causing millions of
rupees in losses to the college. This was the reason the new college
administration has refused to grant concession of fees to the students, sources
said.
Two students, Faisal and Asad, said that most students from poor
families opted for admission in government colleges, because they were
cheaper.
Principal Prof Zafarul Mohsan said that fees were already very
low at government colleges, but even then students showed reluctance to pay
their dues. He said that if the students of the second shift were unable to pay
their fees, they should look for another job. The college was not in a position
to facilitate them, he added. Daily Times
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| Education News | | Updated: 26 May, 2012 |
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