GUJRAT:
A visit by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to the University of Gujrat drew mixed reactions on Monday, with several students calling the event “artificial” and tightly controlled.
The ceremony, organized for over 3,000 students from Gujranwala division districts of Sialkot, Narowal and Gujrat, was meant to mark the distribution of laptops and scholarships. However, according to the students, the chief minister left without personally handing over the laptops and scholarships to the participants.
Sources said the event remained under the complete control of the chief minister’s team, led by provincial education minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
The university administration was largely sidelined during the debates.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Zahoorul Haq was not allowed to deliver a welcome speech, present a commemorative shield or read the traditional acceptance speech. Only the provincial education minister and the chief minister addressed the gathering.
Although the University of Gujrat was officially designated as host, several members of the university union and notable figures from the region were reportedly not invited, reportedly due to security concerns.
Divisional Pakistan Muslim League (N) leaders, including divisional president Chaudhry Abid Raza and district president Nawabzada Tahirul Mulk, refused to attend after learning that lawmakers from the rival Pakistan Muslim League (Q) would be present.
According to sources within the university, dozens of names proposed by the administration for participation were withdrawn by the chief minister’s team on security clearance grounds. University officials said they were only given the responsibility of providing venue and logistical support.
During her speech, the Chief Minister outlined her government’s plans for student and youth development.
At one point, video clips related to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and past remarks regarding Begum Kulsoom Nawaz’s illness were played on the screens in the hall, apparently to counter the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party’s rhetoric. However, students reacted enthusiastically to Imran Khan’s appearance on screen, prompting organizers to remove the footage shortly after.
Some students criticized the arrangements, saying it would have been better for the vice-chancellor to hold separate ceremonies at universities and hand out laptops and scholarships directly, rather than organizing what they described as a “staged” event.
“Future nation builders deserve respect,” remarked a student.
University spokesperson Dr Yousaf told The Express that the institution had no authority over invitations or program management.
“We were only responsible for the accommodation and provision of the venue. Neither the vice-chancellor nor the registrar had any control over the arrangements from start to finish,” he said.
Strict security measures were in place during the visit. Instead of a traditional reception with flower petals, the route from the helipad to the ceremony venue was decorated with flowers.
The chief minister stayed for about an hour before leaving by helicopter.
