Karachi University Professor Attacked by Armed Personnel Over Garbage Burning

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A senior professor at the University of Karachi (KU) was allegedly assaulted by a Rangers guard on July 15, 2025, in the university’s Staff Town over a dispute about burning garbage. The incident has sparked outrage among faculty, prompting demands for accountability and highlighting tensions between academic communities and security forces. This article explores the assault, the response from the Karachi University Teachers’ Society (KUTS), and its broader implications for institutional respect in Pakistan.

The incident occurred when Professor Afaq Ahmad Siddiqui, a respected academic from the Faculty of Pharmacy, confronted a guard posted at a neighboring senior Rangers official’s residence in KU Staff Town. According to Siddiqui, garbage was being burned regularly outside his home to “repel mosquitoes affecting goats,” causing health concerns due to smoke, as he shared in a WhatsApp voice message to KUTS, reported by Dawn. On July 15, after spotting burning garbage post-Maghrib prayers, Siddiqui requested the guard to stop, citing health risks. The guard allegedly responded with verbal abuse and physical assault, breaking Siddiqui’s glasses and injuring his eye. “It’s deeply troubling that a dedicated educator faced such behavior,” KUTS stated, demanding an impartial investigation and action from Rangers’ leadership.

The assault has ignited widespread condemnation, with voices on social media amplifying the call for justice. Journalist Mariana Baabar posted on X, “A guard slaps a teacher. This is a slap on the face of every Pakistani,” reflecting public sentiment. KUTS emphasized the need for mutual respect, stating, “Teachers have always respected state institutions; we expect the same in return.” The incident underscores a broader issue of unchecked authority, with some, like X user @Tmstts1, arguing, “Rangers were sent to control us, not protect us.” The Rangers have yet to issue a public response, fueling demands for transparency.

This incident exposes a troubling disconnect between state institutions and academia, eroding trust in a nation where education is already under strain. The swift outcry from KU’s faculty and community signals a demand for accountability and respect, urging authorities to ensure such violations of dignity are not repeated.