ANP-linked students accused of misconduct as party reps step in to mediate tensions with college faculty, sources reveal
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Three assistant professors at Government Degree College for Boys (Anda Mor) North Karachi were brutally assaulted by a group of students after they refused to mark their biometric attendance. In protest, teaching and non-teaching staff have announced a boycott of all classes and office work for further decision.
According to reports, the violent incident left Assistant Professor Imran Hashmi brutally injured, requiring immediate medical attention at a nearby hospital, while another faculty member, Assistant Professor Ali Abbas, sustained minor injuries. The situation escalated further when the same group of students allegedly called in reinforcements, gathering more individuals outside the college’s main gate. Faculty members, condemning the attack, declared a complete shutdown of academic and administrative activities, citing an unsafe environment for educators.
Sources said that the tensions had been brewing for the past ten days over the issue of biometric attendance. A group of politically-backed students, habitually arriving late, were unable to mark their attendance, leading to frustration. On Thursday, these students attempted to forcibly register their attendance, prompting intervention from faculty members. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with students allegedly attacking the teachers.
Sources revealed that students allegedly belonged to Awami National Party, and later the ANP local representatives associated with the student group later arrived at the college, attempting to mediate between faculty and the accused students. Despite repeated calls to law enforcement, neither police nor the Rangers arrived on time, the police only reaching the site 45 minutes after the incident.
Meanwhile, the teachers said it was unacceptable as they were to educate those students and they brutally tortured them. Questions are now being raised about the unchecked political backing of student groups and the rising issue of campus violence. Faculty members have demanded urgent action against those involved and stricter measures to curb political interference in educational institutions.
With teachers unwilling to resume academic activities under the current circumstances, the crisis at Government Degree College for Boys remains unresolved, highlighting the broader challenge of ensuring safety and discipline within Pakistan’s educational system.
