GUJRAT:
A visit by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to the University of Gujrat drew mixed reactions on Monday, with several students terming the event “artificial” and tightly controlled.
The ceremony, organized for more than 3,000 students from Gujranwala divisional districts of Sialkot, Narowal and Gujrat, was meant to mark the distribution of laptops and scholarships. But according to students, the chief minister left without personally handing over the laptops and scholarships to the participants.
Sources said the event remained under the full control of the chief minister’s team, led by provincial education minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.
The university administration was largely sidelined during the case.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Zahoorul Haq was not allowed to make welcoming remarks, present a plaque or read the traditional acceptance speech. Only the provincial education minister and the chief minister addressed the assembly.
Although the University of Gujrat was formally designated as the host, several members of the university syndicate and notables from the region were reportedly not invited, reportedly due to security concerns.
Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) in the division, including divisional president Chaudhry Abid Raza and district president Nawabzada Tahirul Mulk, declined to attend after hearing that lawmakers from the rival Pakistan Muslim League (Q) would be present.
According to sources within the university, dozens of names suggested by the administration for participation were removed by the Chief Minister’s team due to security clearance. University officials said they were only assigned the responsibility of providing the site and logistical support.
During her speech, the Prime Minister outlined her government’s plans for student and youth development.
At one point, video clips related to former prime minister Imran Khan and earlier remarks about Begum Kulsoom Nawaz’s illness were played on screens at the venue, apparently to counter the narrative of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. However, the students responded enthusiastically to Imran Khan’s appearance on screen, prompting the organizers to remove the footage soon after.
Some students criticized the arrangements, saying it would have been better for the vice-chancellor to hold separate ceremonies at universities and distribute laptops and scholarships directly instead of organizing what they described as a “staged” event.
“The future builders of the nation deserve respect,” remarked one student.
University spokesman Dr. Yousaf told The Express that the institution had no authority over invitations or program management.
“We were only responsible for hosting and providing the venue. Neither the vice-chancellor nor the registrar had 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 venue was decorated with flowers.
The Chief Minister stayed for about an hour, before departing by helicopter.
