Noted economist Atif Mian was due to speak via video link at one of Pakistan’s top business schools yesterday, However, he was prevented from doing so by a group of faculty members and students belonging to the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), it has been reliably learned.
Atif was due to deliver a lecture on ‘Why Has Economic Growth Fallen Behind in Pakistan?” In a rather ironic development, the university canceled his lecture at the eleventh hour. This has pretty much ensured that no one can benefit from his expertise as an economist of repute.
Dr. Atif R. Mian’s lecture “Why has economic growth fallen behind in Pakistan?” scheduled on November 5, 2020 has been cancelled. Inconvenience is highly regretted.
— IBA Karachi (@ibakarachi) October 22, 2020
ALSO READ
Quebec Education Minister Says Malala Can’t Teach If She Wears Hijab
Due to threats from within IBA and on social media, the management thought it was best to cancel the virtual lecture.
Sorry to report that my zoom economics seminar at IBA Karachi has been cancelled due to threats that the university administration was facing from extremists.
My very best wishes and prayers are with the students of IBA. https://t.co/tp10alXpNM
— Atif Mian (@AtifRMian) October 22, 2020
As always, while some Pakistanis could do nothing but apologize amid the simmering embarrassment.
saner elements within iba (@EconomistAadil, @MoruShah, @_baqai) must register strong and public condemnation, force the dean to reverse this & issue a public apology to @AtifRMian. Students must protest. Otherwise just do us a favor & shut down the campus. Its not helping anyone
— Junaid (@junaiddmir) October 22, 2020
Right. One wonders why Atif even bothers with this country anymore.
— bondtastic🐝 (@bond9) October 22, 2020
RIP the future of education in Pak
— Waqas Rehman (@canintubatecan1) October 22, 2020
Others asserted that IBA should’ve seen that coming. Noted journalist Zarrar Khuhro himself confirmed the reasons for the cancelation on his talk show later in the day.
Sad as it is, something like this will 100% get a backlash and predicting that isn't rocket science. Why do it if you cannot withstand pressure?
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) October 22, 2020
Some netizens called for putting our foot down against this kind of behavior.
So the pressure in fact came from the extremist elements within iba and @CBERAtIBA officials, as per @ZarrarKhuhro
This should be investigated and @ibakarachi should have the guts to come clean. pic.twitter.com/dqlH0BzQff
— Junaid (@junaiddmir) October 22, 2020
saner elements within iba (@EconomistAadil, @MoruShah, @_baqai) must register strong and public condemnation, force the dean to reverse this & issue a public apology to @AtifRMian. Students must protest. Otherwise just do us a favor & shut down the campus. Its not helping anyone
— Junaid (@junaiddmir) October 22, 2020
ALSO READ
Do You Remember Your School Teachers’ Famous Dialogues?
IBA under the spotlight?
Unfortunately, the truth came out uglier than anticipated. It wasn’t extremist elements from the outside that compelled IBA to strip their students of such an opportunity. Allegedly, it was IBA’s own faculty.
One wonders if this is an environment that is conducive to learning and growing.
https://twitter.com/eb_abraham/status/1319348283001741312?s=20
I am sure people who were objecting would gladly send their children to the USA for higher education. Wahan Atifa Mian ke lecture se in ke Iman ko koi masla nahi hona tha….those hypocrites are real enemies of this country. They just want to deprive Pakistan from progressing!
— Fauzia (@Rabwhian) October 22, 2020
Atif Mian wasn't going to lecture #IBM students on his faith. He was invited to give lecture on the economy of Pakistan & being world's top economist, this could really help students.
It is sad to see what direction our nation is heading, by disowning gems one after another.
— Shaan (@Shanyousaf6) October 22, 2020
Should such people be allowed anywhere near people that seek growth by enrolling at educational institutes? Do we really want a learning environment conducive to growth where hate won’t stand in the way? Or will we continue to nurse intolerance and further regress on the development front?
What do you think?
