LAHORE: Government College University (GCU) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi called on former prime minister Imran Khan at Zaman Park here on Saturday and announced to rename the Mass Communication Department after slain journalist Arshad Sharif.

Prof Zaidi had recently drawn strong criticism after he allowed the PTI chief to use varsity’s Oval ground to address students wherein he spoke against the opposition and establishment.

In her tweet then, Maryam Nawaz had said: “Strict action must be taken against the GCU VC for desecrating an educational institution by lending it to a Fitna & organising his jalsa on the premises. Using a seat of learning for political hate-mongering is a crime that should not go unpunished.”

Old Ravians had also opposed the move, terming it a bid to promote PTI’s political agenda.

Calls on Imran to tell him media dept is being renamed after Arshad Sharif

In Saturday’s meet, Prof Zaidi also expressed good wishes for the speedy recovery of the former premier.

Earlier, the PTI chairman had announced that the PTI would establish a school of media studies named after the journalist who was killed in Kenya a couple of months ago.

During the meeting, the GCU VC said investigative journalism would be promoted at the Arshad Sharif School of Journalism while a new building would be established to house the department.

The PTI chief appreciated the announcement made by Dr Zaidi, advising him to prepare guidelines for the restoration of student unions in Punjab. The former prime minister said the future of nations belonged to the students studying at universities and, therefore, “we should take every possible step to educate them on the campuses”.

In a video statement, Mr Zaidi announced that the Arshad Sharif Institute of Journalism would be established in the new campus of the university to promote investigative journalism.

“We are also establishing Arshad Sharif School of Journalism Endowment Fund to construct the building in the new campus.”

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2022