 Javed Kasuri, a commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant group, preached jihad to over a hundred Punjab University students in the Sultan Tipu Hostel on Friday night. The lecture was arranged by the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami. The HM is also closely associated with the JI.
| Betcha didn't know that, didja?... Oh. You did... The nose on my face, y'say? |
Students told Daily Times that Kasuri said that the HM's jihad in Kashmir would continue. He invited the students to consider the ideology of Hizbul Mujahideen. He criticised secular groups, such as the Aga Khan Education Board. Kasuri is a former head of the Pakistan chapter of the Hizb, one of the major militant groups fighting Indian rule in Kashmir. He is currently a member of the HM supreme council. The IJT arranges regular lectures on Quranic teachings at PU hostels, but students said it had been a long time since such a hardline cleric preaching jihad had spoken in one of these lectures.
| "A real stem-winder! Fair tightened my turban, he did!" |
The Hall Council chairman, who is in charge of hostels, Professor Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh, said he had not given permission for the lecture and wasn't even aware of it. He referred this Daily Times correspondent to the warden of the hostel, Dr Abdurauf Butt, who was not available for comment. The vice chancellor refused to comment.
| "I know nothing! No-thing! Tell them, Hogan!" |
The Punjab University administration has been directed by the president and governor not to allow political activities on campus. Student unions are banned. However, the IJT plays a prominent role on campus.
| There's a difference, y'see, between student unions and club-wielding hard boyz... |
The administration allowed the IJT to set up welcome stalls for the opening of the university's Gujranwala campus. The IJT and administration are currently negotiating for the holding of the annual IJT book fair. Two dates have been rejected and a third is being discussed. The IJT has at least 40 members (rukan), 40 candidates for membership (umeedwar rukan) over 100 prospective members (rafique) and hundreds sympathisers among the 20,000 students of the PU.
| Ummm... That's 180 hard boyz, at most... |
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