Protest camp sets up at GPO Chowk, demands immediate reinstatement of GU VC

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Jun, 2026) A protest camp was set up here at GPO Chowk on Sunday by members of the Dera Ismail Khan Civil Society, the Gomal University Pensioners Association, and the Central Traders Association, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Gomal University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal and calling for a transparent investigation into the alleged fake degree scandal.

A large number of people, including representatives of civil society, traders, university pensioners, and other community members, participated in the protest. The camp remained open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., where demonstrators chanted slogans against the provincial government and elected representatives, demanding the restoration of the vice chancellor and strict action against those allegedly involved in the fake degree scandal.

Among those present were Civil Society President Sohail Ahmed Azmi, JUI-F Tehsil Ameer Kafeel Ahmed Nizami, Pensioners Association Chairman Shafqat Qayyum Alizai, GUASA President Dr Noor Muhammad, General Secretary Ali Khan Marwat, retired Justice Daud, former MPA Mazhar Jameel Alizai, Inayat Adil, Chamber of Agriculture President Haji Abdul Rashid Dhap, Peace Committee Chairman Haji Abdul Haleem Qasuria, former TEVTA Director General Mansoor Qaisar, former DHO Dr. Ahsan Waheed, Central Traders Association Chairman Javed Akhtar, senior columnist Abul Muazzam Turabi, and several other prominent citizens.

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Addressing the participants, Sohail Ahmed Azmi alleged that politically motivated appointments of vice chancellors under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had adversely affected public universities across the province, leaving many institutions facing financial, administrative, and academic challenges.

He said Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal had made significant efforts to put Gomal University on the path of reform and had initiated measures aimed at improving governance. According to him, influential individuals, senior officials, and public representatives were allegedly linked to the fake degree scandal, and the vice chancellor was sent on forced leave to halt the investigation.

Azmi termed the decision to remove the vice chancellor as condemnable, saying the future of thousands of students was associated with Gomal University. He vowed that civil society, traders, and pensioners would continue their peaceful campaign until Prof Dr Zafar Iqbal was reinstated and those responsible for the alleged fake degree scandal were brought to justice.

The participants also urged the provincial government to immediately restore the vice chancellor and ensure an impartial investigation into the allegations, insisting that all those found responsible should be held accountable in accordance with the law.