Teachers’ Association Demands Immediate Action
KARACHI – July 17, 2025:
A senior professor at the University of Karachi was allegedly assaulted by a Rangers official earlier this week, sparking outrage among faculty members and raising serious concerns over the safety of educators on campus.
According to initial reports, the incident took place in Staff Town—an on-campus residential area—when Professor Dr. Afaq Ahmed Siddiqui objected to garbage being burned near his home. The professor reportedly requested the Rangers official to stop the burning, citing breathing difficulties caused by the thick smoke.
What began as a verbal exchange allegedly escalated when the official slapped the professor in front of his residence. The impact broke Dr. Siddiqui’s glasses and left him with an injury near his eye, witnesses said.
The incident quickly drew the attention of nearby residents, who gathered at the spot and later alerted university authorities.
In a strong statement issued on Wednesday, the Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) condemned the incident in the “harshest possible terms,” describing the act as both “unprovoked and inexcusable.”
“This kind of violence against a respected faculty member is not only deeply disturbing but also unacceptable under any circumstances,” the statement read. “The university must be a place of safety, respect, and academic freedom—not fear.”
KUTS has called an emergency meeting on Thursday to review the situation and discuss a course of action. The association is demanding that those responsible be held accountable and that immediate steps be taken to ensure such incidents are not repeated in the future.
University officials have yet to issue an official response, but faculty members and students alike are calling for transparency and justice.
The incident has reignited the long-standing debate over the role and conduct of security personnel stationed on educational campuses—particularly the boundaries of authority when it comes to dealing with faculty and students.
As of now, no formal complaint has been registered with police, but KUTS has hinted that legal action may be considered depending on the outcome of its internal meeting.
