Karachi blast: New security plan likely for KU

Karachi: Sindh Provincial Minister for Universities and Boards Muhammad Ismail Rahoo has said that a new security plan would be discussed in light of the attack on the Chinese teachers at the University of Karachi (KU).

During his visit to KU, Rahoo observed that China had a key role in Pakistan’s economic development and commented that such vicious attempts were being made to spoil the Pakistan-China relations.

He maintained that the security of universities in the province would be reviewed and authorities would be taken on board to revive the Standard Operating Procedures designed for the educational institutions, particularly where foreign faculty is present.

Speaking to the journalists after the KU visit, Rahoo mentioned that concerned departments are investigating the matter and whoever is found involved will be brought to justice.

Responding to a question, the provincial minister contended that at present the University of Karachi needs more than 250 cameras to ensure integrated surveillance of the long area of the university.

Rahoo stressed that ample security arrangements had been made on the KU’s campus and added that foolproof security was provided to the Chinese faculty members at the KU.

He stated that private security guards and four rangers personnel were deployed to secure the movement of the Chinese faculty on the KU campus as two of rangers personnel were injured in the incident.

He informed that eight Chinese faculty members reside in the KU’s campus whose security had been tightened.

Meanwhile, a meeting regarding the security plan was held at the KU Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Nasira Khatoon, acting Registrar Professor Dr Maqsood Ali Ansari, Campus Security Advisor Dr Muhammad Zubair, Dr Abdul Jabbar, Students’ Advisor Dr Syed Asim Ali, Dr Muhammad Farhan Siddiqui, Dr Muhammad Salman Zubair, Security Officer Muhammad Asif, Pakistani Director of Confucius Institute for the Chinese Language at the University of Karachi Professor Dr Nasir Uddin Khan, and rangers and others participated.

The meeting decided to write a letter to the concerned authorities to increase the movement of rangers inside the campus and to deploy rangers personnel on all entry and exit gates and routes.

The meeting decided to write a letter to the higher authorities for an integrated lighting system in the University of Karachi, and immediate installation of security cameras and repair of the university’s perimeter wall.

The members also discussed in detail to issue the computerized passes and cards to students, faculty, and administrative staff studying at the University of Karachi. The meeting also proposed to establish an information desk at the Silver Jubilee Gate to reduce the influx of visitors inside the campus.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Consul General in Karachi Li Bijian visited the site of the bomb at the University of Karachi on Wednesday. The investigation officials were also present on the occasion. A floral wreath was also laid at the blast’s site by the Consulate General of China in Karachi.

The Chinese diplomat met the KU acting vice chancellor Professor Dr Nasira Khatoon, acting Registrar Professor Dr Maqsood Ali Ansari, Pakistani Director of Confucius Institute for the Chinese Language at the University of Karachi Professor Dr Nasir Uddin Khan, Campus Security Advisor Dr Muhammad Zubair, Dr Abdul Jabbar and others.