By Sarbaan Baloch
Abdul Malik Tareen, the current Vice Chancellor of LUAWMS, has a controversial history, having been involved in several scandals at various universities in Balochistan. Appointed by competing authorities to implement anti-education policies, he appears to have stayed true to this mandate. Recently, he notified that sibling fee concessions have been withheld, a move perceived as an attempt to pressurize and hinder students’ education.
Malik Tareen gained infamy at the University of Balochistan, where he blackmailed female students by installing hidden cameras in hostels and threatening to fail them in examinations. Now, he seems to be continuing this oppressive legacy at LUAWMS. Since his appointment, he has reportedly been conducting seminars and interactive sessions to intimidate students, suggesting he could use violence to control dissent.
From the day Tareen assumed charge at LUAWMS, students have been subjected to various forms of mental torture. Hostel cards are repeatedly checked upon entry and exit, and hostels are frequently raided to verify allotments. These actions are seen as part of a broader narrative aimed at stifling student politics and education across Balochistan.
In his previous tenure at the University of Makran Panjgoor, students resisted his tactics, preventing him from fully implementing his alleged anti-education agenda. Now at LUAWMS, Tareen seems to be focusing on militarizing the institution. Faculty members and lower staff are accused of contributing to a dictatorial atmosphere, turning the university into what some describe as a military zone rather than an educational institution.
Students are reportedly being tortured, targeted, and profiled through various means, including psychological pressure, constant notifications hindering scholarships, and other educational aids. These actions have led to widespread mental stress among students.
While the university faces a severe financial crisis due to corruption and mismanagement by past administrations, Tareen has continued this legacy. Teachers and lower staff have reportedly not received their salaries for months. Instead of addressing the university’s financial and administrative challenges, Tareen is accused of prioritizing militarization.
Since his appointment, visits from security forces to the university have increased. Questions arise about the purpose and interests of these forces in an educational institution. Critics allege that these visits aim to monitor and suppress student activities, furthering Tareen’s oppressive agenda.
Lasbela University, the second major university in Balochistan after the University of Balochistan, is now allegedly dominated by corrupt mafias within the administration. These groups are accused of embezzling government grants, funds, and even scholarships meant for students, leaving the institution in a dire state.
Students, staff, and observers alike call for urgent action to address the growing crisis at LUAWMS and safeguard its role as an educational institution.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.