The Management and faculty members of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) have expressed their dismay over the surprise arrest of the University's Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Ihsan Ali.

In an emergency meeting that was held on Wednesday morning at AWKUM, the management and faculty expressed their concern over the way the Vice Chancellor was arrested by the regional office of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

"The arrest of a sitting VC is astonishing and unprecedented, the NAB action has hurt the reputation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's most modern and credible University", the statement said.

"Dr. Ihsan Ali is not just a person, in his capacity as the Vice Chancellor he represents an academic institution where thousands of students, staff and faculty work and study. His arrest is an attack on the goodwill of Abdul Wali Khan University".

Senior management of the university said that the arrest of Dr. Ali in an old case has shocked the whole AWKUM community. An organization such as NAB is expected to act professionally. Dr. Ihsan has been not proven guilty but the media coverage of his arrest has caused discomfort and anxiety among AWKUM staff and students because it has damaged the reputation of AWKUM and its Vice Chancellor.

"This is not fair to destroy the credibility of a university where thousands come to build their future, AWKUM is a jewel of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," said Management and faculty of the University.

The meeting expressed solidarity with the Vice Chancellor Dr. Ihsan Ali and reassured students, staff and members of the public that the University's leadership is united and will ensure smooth functioning of the institution. In order to express their solidarity the Administration Staff and Faculty will starts a token strike which will continue till the release of the Vice-Chancellor, AWKUM. Moreover tomorrow in order to register their protest a peaceful walk starting from the University and closing on Press Club of Mardan will be held.