Pir Mazhar changed his statement saying – Misquoted

HYDERABAD UNIVERSITY CONFLICT –  After Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) detest, Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq rolled back his opposition towards construction of an additional university in Hyderabab.

Pir Mazhar in his address to Sindh University at Sindh University on Sunday said that no new public sector institution would be allowed to operate in Hyderababd. However, in a clarification statement soon after, Pir Mazhar ul Haq backed away from his remarks and said that he had not said anything against construction of the university.

Mazhar had said addressing the gathering at SU auditorium that “ certain elements want to vilify and destroy Sindh University and some senior individuals have hatched conspiracies against the institution in the past.

The MQM has announced that it would hold protest demonstrations across Sindh against the statement issued by the education minister.

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday issued a statement condemning Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq for causing grief and distress to the people of Hyderabad. The Muttahida chief urged the people of Hyderabad to rise in peaceful protest against the statement of provincial education minister; but, no state or private properties should be harmed during the protests

Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq has said that he had not given any statement that PPP would not allow anyone to construct a university in Hyderabad. He added that his statement was twisted to create differences between PPP and MQM.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Pir Mazhar said that he upgraded Sir Ziauddin, Baqai University and others after making legislation in Sindh Assembly. Pir Mazhar said that Hyderabad was his city and several graves of his ancestors were in Hyderabad. He added that one university would not be constructed in Hyderabad, but two or four universities would be constructed in the city.

The education minister had said that asking for a new university in Hyderabad would be a conspiracy against the Sindh University

Pir Mazhar said he was misquoted over the issue, adding he did not say that public sector university would not be established. He said he talked about Sindh University issues, where teachers were not granted scholarships from the HEC, adding conspiracies against Sindh varsity would be foiled.

The education minister said he had also sent text message to MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari, who asked him for clarification.