Punjab University (PU) administration, in a joint operation with the police, has evicted hundreds of illegal occupants from hostels, freeing up space for 600 morning students who will now be accommodated on merit. According to a press statement by the PU spokesman, the university has already allotted hostels to 300 deserving morning students, while another 300 from remote areas will be given accommodation this week. To expedite the process, hostel offices are working even on weekends.
The crackdown revealed alarming details, including the recovery of alcohol and crystal meth (“ice”) from the rooms of illegal occupants. The spokesman pointed out that it was well-known which student organizations were behind these illegal occupations. These unauthorized residents were not only disrupting law and order but also causing significant financial losses to the university. Influential occupants were reportedly using high-power appliances like inverter ACs, irons, and heaters without permission or payment, leading to millions in losses annually. Additionally, PU was deprived of Rs. 20 million in residential dues due to these illegal occupants.
The operation was carried out on the directives of Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, who ensured indiscriminate action against all unlawful residents. The spokesman accused student organizations of resisting the crackdown because it ended their monopoly over hostel allotments. These groups allegedly collected monthly rent from illegal occupants and are now pressuring the administration to re-accommodate them. They are also demanding hostels for evening students, bypassing merit—a facility never provided by the university.
The spokesman clarified that no university globally guarantees hostel accommodation for every student; allocations are strictly based on merit and available capacity. PU offers one of the cheapest hostel facilities, charging only Rs. 2,000 per month per student. He emphasized that while the administration supports positive student activities, there will be no compromise on merit or rule of law.
Students involved in illegal activities are being dealt with legally but are being given a fair chance to defend themselves. The university remains firm in its stance against any violations of merit or hostel policies, ensuring a fair and lawful environment for all deserving students.
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