Atif Mian
On Thursday, June 5th, the principal of Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, expelled every student who belonged to the Ahmadi community from the college.
A total of twenty three students, fifteen female and eight male, across the five years of medical school have been expelled as a result. Further details regarding the incident can also be found in reports from the BBC and from the Daily Times.
The Ahmadi students were “accused” of preaching their religious beliefs. The principal was pressured into expelling the entire Ahmadi student body by a mob of protesters belonging to Islami Jamiat e Talaba. The mob circled the Principal’s office and demanded the expulsions. The same day, a mob of about 300 college students also barged into Ahmadi students’ rooms, beat them and threw their luggage out of their rooms.
What makes this incident especially troubling is the fact that the decision to expel Ahmadi students was taken by a government-run medical school, under full knowledge of the relevant Punjab ministries.
As an academic, and a Pakistani, I am totally appalled by this latest incidence of religious fanaticism. One hopes that the present Punjab government turns a page, and instead of supporting the forces of extremism, comes to the protection of its ordinary citizens.
Atif Mian is Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business.
“Watan Aziz @
Beliefs of anyone should not be part of the story. They are both irrelevant and divisive.”
The expulsion was based on the beliefs of the students. There is no “story” without that part.
Are you in denial or simply unable to handle the discomfort caused by the crystal clear injustice committed by the holier than thous. I wonder why the self proclaimed heirs to the title of a musalmaan feel so insecure.
~~Punjab Medical College Expels 23 Ahmedi Students~~
The title of the post is wrong.
It should be “Punjab Medical College Expels 23 Students“.
The wrongful and baseless charges against one is a wrongful and baseless charge against all.
Beliefs of anyone should not be part of the story. They are both irrelevant and divisive.
International Federation of Journalists has condemned GEO TV and Dr Aamir Liaquat and have held them legally responsible for the two Ahmadis murdered;
[Quote]The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is horrified to learn that two people belonging to a minority religious sect in Pakistan were murdered shortly after a broadcaster on one of the country
Please support Asian Human Rights Commission urgent appeal;
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/2999/
BBC