Non-recognition of degrees: four PU students attempt self-immolation before VC office

In a sad incident, four students of Punjab University attempted self-immolation outside the Vice-Chancellor's office here on Wednesday to protest against non-recognition of their degrees and non-acceptance of their demands by the university administration.
A good number of male and female students of BSc Honours and MSc Honours from the Institute of Plant Pathology (IPP) had gathered in front of VC's office to press their demands. They also chanted slogans against the VC for not accepting their demands.
Four students of IPP, including Muhammad Atif, Muhammad Umer, Adnan Saeed and Muhammad Wajid, attempted self-immolation by sprinkling petrol on their bodies. They were intercepted by police and were provided first aid by Rescue-1122 staff. The students of IPP have been protesting for the last nine months, as their degrees have not been recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The students had been demanding change in the nomenclature of the Institute from IPP to 'Institute of Agricultural Sciences' (IAS). They have also been demanding appointment of a permanent Director in the Institute.
Meanwhile, representatives of print and electronic media were stopped by the PU administration from covering the incident. PU Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Mujahid Kamran and Advisor to PU VC Colonel (r) Ikram Ullah ordered to close the varsity doors for journalists. Colonel (r) Ikram Ullah not only closed the varsity gates but also misbehaved with journalists.
According to the details, on the order of Ikram Ullah, PU's Chief Security Officer (CSO) Major Arif and the varsity guards threatened 'Pakistan Today' correspondent Adnan Lodhi and cameraman Murtza of dire consequences if they covered the event. Colonel Ikram Ullah also instructed PT teams to avoid to cover the protest of students and obey what they are saying.
Journalists on this occasion also demanded from the VC to replace his advisor with a teacher as retired army officers are damaging varsity's reputation and earning bad name not only for them but also for the whole nation. Earlier, the office of PU VC was converted in a battlefield where PU security guards and police personnel were given free hand to beat female and male students who were protesting for their demands. Scores of male and female students of BSc Honours and MSc Honours from the Institute of Plant Pathology (IPP) had gathered in front of VC's office to press their demands. They were chanting slogans against the VC for not accepting their demands.
According to sources at Varsity, retired Colonel Ikram Ullah who is also advisor of the PU VC, was given the task to teach a lesson to the students and in this connection Colonel Ikram Ullah and Chief Security Officer (CSO) Major Arif made all arrangements to beat students and in this connection they appointed special guards on varsity's entering gates to stop the media to enter at PU.
When PU IMMP students arrived in front of VC office following the instructions of Major Arif security guards and police personnel attacked the female students and without caring anything they were torturing them. According to a police personnel, the Varsity had not only invited Muslim Town Police but also reserved force to beat students. He said that varsity administrations had instructed them just to beat students and not care for anything. Students on this occasion shouted slogans against PU VC and Colonel Ikram Ullah. Meanwhile, PU teachers condemned Colonel Ikram Ullah and Major Arif for manhandling students.