Teachers Boycott Classes at Karachi University

Classes at the University of Karachi (KU) were suspended on Monday as teachers protested the ‘illegal detention’ of KU associate professor and syndicate member Dr. Riaz Ahmed. Dr. Ahmed was detained by police on August 31 while en route to a syndicate meeting.

A significant number of teachers gathered in front of the university’s administration block to protest the arrest, according to a press release issued by the Karachi University Teachers’ Society (KUTS).

Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association President Munawar Abbas and KUTS President Prof. Dr. Shah Ali Ul Qader strongly condemned the incident, describing it as an affront to the entire teaching community.

Mr. Abbas called for the Sindh Assembly to pass the ‘Protection of Teachers Bill.’

Prof. Qader emphasized that teachers are the backbone of the state and warned that such mistreatment would not be tolerated. He stressed that universities should focus on education and teaching rather than being entangled in politics.

He criticized the external pressure on the university, describing it as a violation of KU’s autonomy and an insult to the dignity of teachers. He also demanded that those responsible for Dr. Riaz’s “illegal detention” be held accountable.

Dr. Riaz was detained by police on August 31 while on his way to a syndicate meeting and was released after eight hours.