KARACHI: Opposition continued to mount at Karachi University (KU) on Tuesday against the Sindh government’s reported intention to detach the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) from the university, with teachers and student organisations rejecting the proposal and warning that it would undermine both institutions.
The Karachi University Teachers’ Society (Kuts), which has been vocal in its resistance, convened a meeting with representatives of major student bodies to build broader consensus on the issue. In a statement issued after the meeting, Kuts reiterated that ICCBS was an integral part of KU and that teachers “would not let its detachment happen at any cost”.
“The University of Karachi has a fundamental role in making the ICCBS what it is today,” the statement quoted Kuts representatives as saying.
Student organisations attending the meeting included Islami Jamiat Tulba, Imamia Students Organisation, All Pakistan Muttahida Student Organisation, Punjabi Students Organisation and Anjuman-i-Tulba Islam. According to sources, Kuts President Syed Ghufran Alam told the students that no proposal affecting the institute should be approved without the participation of all stakeholders. He added that the society had kept communication channels open with all institutions concerned.
Student representatives assured the teachers of their full support on the matter, sources said.
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Earlier in the day, a Kuts delegation met Sindh Minister for Boards and Universities Mohammad Ismail Rahu to formally convey their objections to the draft bill concerning ICCBS. According to the teachers’ statement, Kuts President Dr Fakhrunisa Memon briefed the minister about “objectionable clauses” in the bill, which they said would “seriously damage both KU and ICCBS”.
The delegation also dismissed the perception that the research centre had been built largely through the contributions of two donors named in the proposed legislation. Their support, they said, constituted “less than one per cent” of ICCBS’s funding and was limited to two buildings. “The rest of the infrastructure, including laboratories, buildings and machinery, has been funded by other donors,” the statement added.
Sources said Kuts President Syed Ghufran Alam told the students that the society wouldn’t accept any decision taken without all stakeholders on board.https://t.co/cm2qEJAOSL
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 10, 2025
Sources said the minister assured the delegation that their concerns would be presented before the cabinet and that no unilateral decision would be taken. The delegation included Dr Nida Ali, Dr Zeeshan Iqbal and other faculty members.
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