F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Muttahida Tulba Mahaz Peshawar University has rejected the notification of vice chancellor and vowed to continue their sit-in until accepting of their legal demands.
Chairman Muttahida Tulba Mahazz Bilal Buneri said that the administration wants to deceive the students through hollow slogans and none of their demands was taken seriously by the vice chancellor of the university.
He said that if their demands were not accepted until Monday, then the students are ready launch a movement for their rights. The chairman said that the university has designated various employees with additional allowances and duties as an 18 scale provost working in grade 20 while assistant provost of BPS 18 was working on grade 18 which is clear violation of the rules and regulation.
He said that exorbitant tuition fees and hostel dues have badly affected the students financially and most of the students will quit education if the decision of annual increase of 30 percent was not reversed.
He demanded of the university administration to include them in the meeting with syndicate members and also give them representation in the syndicate body.
The University of Peshawar spokesman said that university is fully committed to provide conducive, educational environment to the students and would take every step towards its accomplishment.
The University in a statement categorically reiterated that students are the main stakeholder of this institution and their genuine demands will be met, and steps in the right directions being taken accordingly.
He opined that 14 demands were put forth by the protesting students including 10% rise in tuition fee, improvement of facilities in the hostel, transport facility, problems of drop out students and plea for research grant.
Towards the solution of the same, the spokesman said that transport facility would be provided to the day scholar students forthwith and the Vice Chancellor has directed the transport officer to allocate two buses for them. As far as the allocation for research grant for scholars, the matter is to be taken up vigorously with the Higher Education Commission.
The matter of drop out students would be looked into by a committee and dealt with as per rules on compassionate grounds.
As regards the demand of 10% increase in fee notified on the directions of the Syndicate of the University, the matter is to be presented before the Syndicate in its meeting to be held on December 7, 2017 with a special request to the concerned authority to decide the matter sympathetically. In the meanwhile any department charging more than 10% fee has been discontinued immediately, he said.
The spokesman further stated that certain demands like announcement of students’ endowment fund, election of the students union may be taken up with the provincial government for an amicable solution.
While demands like registration of Masters and (BS Hons) education vis a vis decision regarding discontinuation of B.A and Master’s Degree Programs by HEC is to be taken up with the Higher Education Commission by the University.
He resolved that varsity administration will ensure that renovation work in the hostels is done as per contract agreement and no payment will be made to the concerned contractors till the civil work comes up to the required benchmark.
Making University a safer place for students and campus community is a top priority and security on campus would be maintained at all cost. He informed that zero tolerance policy has been adopted for staying of outsiders in varsity hostels.
