SAHIWAL: The Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) in Gujranwala has criticised a proposal by local PML-N parliamentarians to convert two public sector colleges into the University of Gujranwala.

The proposal, made in a letter to the chief minister on July 10, aims to take over Government Graduate College, Satellite Town, and Government Home Economics College, Satellite Town.

Gujranwala PPLA President Anwar Variya and Secretary Sadia Alam said the move would harm poor and middle-classfamilies who rely on these colleges.

They questioned why the government wants to take over these colleges when a university was already planned to be established on 891 kanals near Dewan Road, Aimanabad.

The original university plan was approved by the caretaker provincial cabinet in August 2023, with a budget of Rs4.5 billion.

Construction had started at the allocated site, despite full funds not being allocated. The new university was to introduce four faculties and 11 departments.

PPLA leaders say the PML-N is trying to score political points by proposing the conversion ofcolleges, rather than continuing with the original plan. The association is concerned about the impact on poor and middle-class families who rely on these colleges.

Muhammad Akhter Ghumman, former PPLA president and senior faculty member, said that previous educational institutions were established independently without disrupting existing infrastructure. He said that the colleges should serve as `feeder colleges` for the new university instead of being converted.

PPLA Central President Faiza Raana called the move `unjust` and `unwise`, given the substantial investment already made at the proposed university site. Theassociation passed a resolution, planned a protest on July 22, and formed a Divisional Action Committee to counter the proposal.

The colleges have around 5,000 male and 1,000 female students, with over 150 teachers. The staff and principals opposed the initial feasibility study conducted by the AC City on behalf of the district administration.

The association said it was concerned about the impact on poor and middle-class families who rely on these colleges.

They believe that the conversion would harm the existing educationalinfrastructure and disrupt the academic environment.