In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, Rawalpindi witnessed severe traffic congestion as students from Government Gordon College vehemently protested against the government’s plan to hand over their institution to an American church.
The protesters, chanting ‘Na manzoor, Na manzoor’ (not acceptable), marched from the college to the press club at Liaquat Bagh, causing disruptions along Murree Road.
Expressing strong disapproval, the students voiced their opposition to the proposed control of the college by an American church.
They issued warnings of escalating protests, potentially bringing the entire city to a standstill if the controversial plan proceeded.
The tensions over the proposed handover began last year when the Government of Punjab announced its intention to transfer the historic college and its properties to a Christian mission.
Despite protests and appeals from students and teachers, the top court dismissed their case, paving the way for the handover to the original owner.
Despite the legal developments, Gordon College, with its rich history, cannot be abolished. Students and teachers have threatened to launch another protest if there are any attempts to privatize the college.
Originally a missionary institution until 1972, Gordon College came under the Punjab government’s administration during the nationalization of various institutions that year.
The longstanding dispute over the ownership of the college’s land, pending since 1986, took a contentious turn, with the management of Preston Church, situated adjacent to the college, claiming ownership of the school’s land and also overseeing FC College in Lahore.
