Muzeer Salam Zamurani
As it is almost clear to everyone of us that Balochistan Residential Colleges are the prestigious and recognized educational institutions in one of the backward areas of Pakistan which is Balochistan. These are the alma mater of many Lecturers, Bureaucrats, Doctors, Engineers, and Officers. The Teachers of these institutions live on the premises of these institutions, and look after the students like parents. Besides delivering lectures in classes, the teachers of these institutions visit hostels 3 times a day to maintain discipline and guide pupils in studies like tutors. For such extra duties, the employees had been entitled to an extra allowance ; “BRC allowance” which was frozen in 2015 and it was really a great step taken by them. In the past employees protested for restitution of frozen BRC Allowance but their grievances were never addressed. Recently employees of BRC Turbat requested the competent authorities for restoration of BRC allowance, but a positive and satisfactory response wasn’t shown by higher-ups. So they compelled to conduct a press conference and decided to go for a symbolic and peaceful protest till the restoration of BRC Allowance. And they stopped performing extra duties but to continue delivering lectures without any disturbance in teaching & learning activities. All employees of BRC Turbat are the part of this protest and their demands are due & genuine. Instead of resolving problems, the government has started suspending employees and issuing Show Cause notices. Some days ago a man, who introduced himself as P.S of Secretary Higher Education, has threatened and warned teachers via phone calls to transfer them. These tactics are linked with suspension of respected Sir Meeran to provoke employees for an illegal act. The Article-19 of Constitution of Pakistan grants the freedom of speech to the citizens and allows them to express their feelings. If freedom of speech and peaceful protest is an offence then all employees of Balochistan should be suspended specially civil secretariat employees who are protesting in front of Chief Secretary’s office on issue of BCS/BSS shares in services. Furthermore, it is necessary to highlight the past and present situation of BRC Turbat. The setup and administration of BRCs are different from other colleges. The ex-cadre principals are the root causes of the declension of BRC Turbat as they are unaware of its administration. District Kech should be thankful to ex-CM Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch who didn’t compromise with education and posted Mr. Abdul Kareem -the most senior BRCian- as Principal BRC Turbat on merit. Mr Abdul Kareem had put all of his efforts into the revival of BRC Turbat. After Mr. Abdul Kareem’s retirement, the incumbent inexperienced, incompetent and ex-cadre principal of BRC Turbat, once again, has pushed the college towards deterioration. Being alumnus of BRC Turbat, I request Legislatures, Political representatives of district Kech, officers associations, teachers associations, professors & lecturers associations, Student Organizations, civil society and lawyers to play their role in saving BRC Turbat. It’s too requested that the Show Cause Notice and Suspension Order of Sir Meeran may kindly be withdrawn and the incumbent incompetent principal should be transferred/suspended so that they Look after Charge of Principal BRC Turbat might be given to Sir Meeran to honor him for his services in BRCs. In the current situation, he is the best option, and he knows very well how to deal with the affairs of Residential institutions and in my opinion making him the principal wouldn’t be a bad decision.
