FIR against PU teachers’ leaders sparks outrage

Strong resentment has emerged among Punjab University teachers and employees following the registration of an FIR at Muslim Town

LAHORE: Strong resentment has emerged among Punjab University teachers and employees following the registration of an FIR at Muslim Town Police Station against office bearers of the university’s Joint Action Committee (JAC), which has been leading a 36-day protest against alleged corruption, financial irregularities and bad governance.

The FIR names JAC Chairman Prof. Dr. Sardar Asghar Iqbal, Convener Prof. Dr. Kamran Abid, President Chaudhry Basharat Mahmood, General Secretary Tayyab Ejaz Khan and other members of the committee.

The Joint Action Committee has strongly condemned the registration of the cases, describing it as an attempt to suppress what it termed the peaceful, constitutional and lawful struggle of teachers and employees.

According to the JAC, Punjab University teachers and staff have been staging peaceful protests for the past 36 days to raise concerns over alleged financial irregularities, corruption and administrative issues at the university. The committee maintained that demanding transparency, questioning administrative decisions and holding peaceful demonstrations are constitutional rights of citizens and employees.

The JAC said using FIRs and police action against those participating in the protest was regrettable and could further deepen tensions within the university community.

The committee also alleged that the cases were registered against its elected leadership at a time when the Vice Chancellor was abroad and the Pro Vice Chancellor was overseeing university affairs. According to the JAC, the development appeared intended to send a message to the wider university community that those who speak out against alleged corruption or administrative irregularities could face police action and legal cases.

The committee questioned whether raising concerns about alleged corruption at a public-sector university had effectively become a criminal act.

“Has raising voice against corruption in Punjab University become a crime?” the JAC questioned, adding that an academic institution should provide space for accountability, dialogue and dissent rather than respond to criticism through FIRs.

The teachers’ representative body warned that any retaliatory action against its office bearers would be viewed as action against thousands of teachers, employees and their representative organizations.

Following the registration of the FIR, various representative bodies have reportedly started holding executive meetings and are preparing for emergency general body meetings to discuss the situation and determine their future course of action.

The JAC warned that if attempts to stop the ongoing protest through FIRs, pressure or other measures continued, the movement would be expanded and intensified.

The committee also called upon the Government of Punjab to take immediate, transparent and impartial notice of the allegations concerning financial and administrative matters at Punjab University. It demanded that those found responsible for any irregularities be held accountable and that the FIRs and alleged harassment against teachers and employees be withdrawn.

The JAC office bearers maintained that police cases, threats and pressure would not force teachers and employees to abandon their demands. They vowed to continue their campaign against what they described as corruption and bad governance at the university.

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