Gomal University professors, students stage protest against Gandapur’s threats

Gomal University was Wednesday closed for an indefinite period after the tussle between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Amin Gandapur and Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Iftikhar Shah over the transfer of the university assets to a proposed agriculture university intensified, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The matters turned worse from bad after acting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani wrote a letter to the VC in which he asked him to fulfill the demand of Gandapur which the VC deemed illegal.

The professors, deans, students and other staff of the university took out a protest rally against Gandapur’s political interference in the affairs of the university and his demand of resignation from VC Dr Iftikhar Shah.

While addressing a protest seminar held in the auditorium of the university, the speakers said that political interference in the affairs of the university were unacceptable in any case.

VC Dr Iftikhar Shah said that the transfer of the university assets to a proposed agriculture university was illegal, adding that it was also against the Peshawar High Court’s decision of October 2, 2021.

The VC also got a case registered against Gandapur’s threats and his political interference in the university affairs, but the police did not take any action under the duress of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Yesterday, VC Dr Iftikhar Shah had written a letter to the acting Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for an action against PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur for threatening him to resign from his post.

The VC, in his letter, alleged that former federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur had sent him threats on WhatsApp, asking him to resign from his post. “Resign with dignity or you will be forced out,” were the words of Gandapur’s threat as quoted by Dr Iftikhar Shah.

A copy of the letter had also been sent to the principal secretaries to the prime minister and the interior minister and other officers.

It was also learnt that Ali Amin wanted to transfer the students and assets of Gomal University to a proposed agriculture university, but the VC refused to do anything against the University Act.

PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur also organised students’ protest against the VC during which the official vehicle of the VC and the university property had been damaged.

The police had refused to take an action against the students.

Besides, an alleged audio clip of Ali Amin Gandapur had also surfaced in which he could be heard uttering threatening remarks against Dr Iftikhar Shah, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of Gomal University.

“I asked twice from the VC why he did not resign. Then I taught him in my own language. I fear none. I have declared a war against the VC. He can write letter to anyone he wants. I fear neither governor nor prime minister. I will show you the VC forced out,” were the alleged words uttered by Gandapur in the audio clip.

Reporter: Sajid Baloch