Government urged to provide security to academicians

ISLAMABAD - Strongly condemning the killing of a female professor of Balochistan University, Nazima Talib, the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has urged the government to provide security to the professors and announce compensation for the bereaved family. The members of the association had already gathered in the Capital to observe the death anniversary of another professor who was killed two years ago but targeting of a female professor sent a shock wave amongst them and they announced to observe a Black Day on Saturday. Mahar Saeed Akhtar, President of FAPUASA, talking to TheNation said the government has failed to provide security to the professors. Lives of professors are precious as it takes years to produce a professor and public exchequer is spent on them. Its a pity that a female has been targeted. The government should announce Rs. 5 million compensation for the family of the professor. The professors have also been demanding the safe release of Dr Lutfullah Kakakhel, the kidnapped vice chancellor of the Kohat University of Sciences and Technology (KUST) who is missing for the last six months and urging the Federal Government to take all possible measures to get him released immediately. Academic Staff Association, Quaid-i-Azam University, has also strongly condemned the killing of a lady professor in University of Balochistan. Dr Eatzaz Ahmad, President, and Dr Gulraiz Akhter, Secretary, ASA, have expressed their dismay and frustration at the attitude of authorities which miserably fail to take action on the earlier incidents of violence against teachers in the width and breadth of the country. They condemned the recent incident in strongest possible terms in which an Assistant Professor Nazima Talib associated with the Mass Communication Department of the university lost her life. The QAU ASA office-bearers said that the academicians are performing a noble cause and to assassinate them in broad daylight without any reason was against the values and norms of any province including Baloch traditions. They urged the authorities to make necessary arrangements to ensure security of the teaching community in vulnerable areas. They supported the action of ASA of Balochistan University in this respect. The QAU ASA demanded that the persons responsible for the incident must be taken to task and given exemplary punishment. They also requested the Governor, Chief Minister of Balochistan and the Interior Minister to take strict action against the culprits. Meanwhile, the National Commission on the Status of Women in its 40th BoD meeting also strongly condemned the murder of Nazima Talib, Associate Professor at University of Balochistan. It expressed its strong concern on the continuing incidents of target killings which had earlier also claimed the life of husband of NCSW member from Balochistan. The NCSW appalled at the impunity with which the perpetrators of these heinous crimes go scot-free and demanded that the criminals be apprehended and security should be provided to all people of all sects including minorities. Vengeance against innocent citizens is not the way of resolving political conflicts.