Fatima Jinnah University: admission to male students irks opposition

The opposition on Thursday objected to the admission of male students in the Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, demanding immediate withdrawal of the decision.
Samia Raheel Qazi of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal informed the House on a Point of Order that the university administration had allowed male students to get admission in the University, which, she said, had been set up purely for the female students.
She said the opposition, particularly MMA, would not allow such moves, and termed these moves as a conspiracy against the dignity of those female who want to study in a segregated atmosphere.
Samia was supported by all MMA and PML-N members. She said that the university had been set up for those female students whose parents did not allow them to the co-education institutions. MMA chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that these kind of actions of the government were against the free will of the people and referred to the other countries and religions where such options also exist.
However, in the absence of Education Minster Lieutenant General Javed Ashraf Qazi (Retd), Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan said that the treasury benches also support the idea and respect the dignity of women as much as the opposition members do.
Earlier, the government rejected a demand of MMA member Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, who asked the government not to allow women to participate in upcoming Shandur Festival by setting up stalls to promote their products. Parliamentary Minister Sher Afgan Niazi turned down the idea, contending that there was no harm in the women participation since the organisers had made special arrangements for them.
JOURNALISTS WALKOUT: The journalists also staged a token walkout from the press gallery on Thursday to protest against the arrest of a TV reporter in Sindh, which was kept secret for last more than three months.
Interior Minster Aftab Ahmed Sherpao disclosed on a point of order of PPPP member Manzoor Hussain Wassan that the reporter Mukesh Rupeta was arrested and kept in the airport police station of Jacobabad under Secret Service Act. Federal Minister for Population Chaudhry Shahbaz Hussain and Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqi came to the press lounge and assured the journalists that their demands would be met.