Punjab University Joint Action Committee rally gets low turnout

LAHORE – A protest rally organized by the Joint Action Committee at Punjab University failed due to extremely low participation from teachers, officers and employees. A large number of the university’s teachers, officers and employees boycotted the rally.

According to relevant circles, only 5 out of approximately 1,300 teachers at Punjab University participated in the rally while around 30 employees out of approximately 5,500 university employees attended. Similarly, not a single officer among the university’s approximately 250 officers participated in the rally.

On the occasion, the President of the affected employees said that teachers allegedly involved in Rs6 billion corruption in Town Three would be held accountable. He alleged that certain elements were resorting to protest politics to avoid accountability proceedings.

Dr. Khurram Shehzad criticized the Joint Action Committee, saying, “The Joint Action Committee is actually a corruption-protection committee.” He said the committee’s protest had failed and that teachers, officers and employees had made their position clear by distancing themselves from the protest activities.

Dr. Khurram Shehzad also levelled allegations against Dr. Azhar Naeem claiming that he was unnecessarily engaging in protest politics to conceal his alleged corruption. He alleged that Dr. Azhar Naeem had awarded a contract worth billions of rupees to his own brother’s company without inviting a tender.

He also criticized Dr. Kamran Abid, saying that the issue of keeping chickens in a government building reflected concerns regarding his administrative performance and alleged irregularities.

The speakers demanded a transparent investigation into the financial affairs and alleged corruption at Punjab University. They said that if the allegations are proven those responsible should face legal action in accordance with the law.