ISLAMABAD: The prime minister office on Monday directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to submit a detailed report on Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU)`s Lahore campus.

The prime minister took notice of a protest staged by students of the university`s Lahore campus.

Former vice chancellor BZU Dr Khawaja Algama, through a public-private partnership, had started the campus a few years ago.

On Thursday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested the former VC for allegedly violating the rules in the establishment of the campus. Raids were also being made to arrest the former registrar and other officials.

Hundreds of students on Monday staged the protest in Lahore asking the government to save their future.

`When we took admission we were informed that this was the sub-campus of BZU but now we are being told that the campus is illegal, said one of the protesting students.

Speaking to Dawn, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said the BZU campus at Lahore had no legal standing. `The campus was established without an NOC from the HEC and even the approval of the BZU syndicate.

The HEC chief said he had formed a committee to come up with suggestions to save the future of the students.

In reply to a question, he said a report would be submitted to the prime minister office on Tuesday. A Reporter