ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad administration was ready to meet all demands of the protesting students except for restoration of expelled students, Vice Chancellor of QAU Dr Javed Ashraf said on Wednesday.
While addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said students were not willing to resolve the issue through dialogue as they were refusing the process again and again and only demanding restoration of expelled students.
“I had a meeting with all the deans, senior members of administration and the representatives of academic staff association of the university and they are in favor of announced punishment to students” he added.
The QAU Vice Chancellor said the students had been expelled by the syndicate committee of the university, adding he did not have any authority to restore them.
“We have offered them that the case of expelled students will be sent to syndicate committee for reviewing and their other demands will be fulfilled on priority, but they refused the option,” he said.
Dr Javed Ashraf said no operation was being conducted against the protestors. He said the expelled students were living in the varsity hostel illegally.
The VC said the university had strictly banned the newcomer students on joining of ethnic councils, adding a notice had been issued in that regard. He said the students would have to submit a special form in which they would assure that they would not take part in the ethnic councils.
Responding to a question, he said the councils were never allowed in the university on ethnic basis.
The Vice Chancellor said the university would be open in consultation with civil authorities of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
It was pertinent to note that around eight students were expelled from the QAU over fist fighting with each other a few months back. Some students were also rusticated for one or two semesters and others were fined.
The students were protesting in favor of expelled students for more than a week and the educational activities had been suspended in the university.