Not only an old Ravian but also being treated as a distinguished one, I have been terribly shocked to read the news that a portion of the Government College University (GCU), one of the greatest educational institutions of the country is being demolished to house a bus terminal. No doubt Mian Shahbaz Sharif is known for his development projects but the illustrious comity of old Ravians can never apprehend that he can approve such a foolish plan of demolishing the GCU girls hostel and erase the historical Logia Gardens to locate the terminals of his new brain child Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

It must be realised that being 148 years old the GCU campus has a historical significance, having produced luminaries like Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Nobel Laureate Prof Dr Abdus Salam, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and a galaxy of literary figures, jurists, scientists, sportsmen and politicians. Apart from this the girls hostel accommodates around 300 girl students from all over Pakistan including some from far flung areas. Attending the meetings and functions of the Old Ravians Union regularly for over half a century I know the feelings and sentiments of the old Ravians community in this respect. They have such a sentimental attachment with this edifice that what to speak of levelling a portion of the institution, they will not tolerate even the removal of a brick from the GCU’s structure.
The bus terminal how important it may be, can be easily built on any part of the big Nasir Bagh. If not suitable, a portion of the District Court building which has no historical significance may be demolished for the purpose but not any part of the GCU. I have been a devout Muslim Leaguer since the Quaid-i-Azam’s era. If Mian Nawaz Sharif who himself is an old Ravian does not restrain his CM brother to abandon this plan, I will be the first person to launch a campaign asking the Ravians all over Pakistan not to vote for his party in the next elections.
RAFI NASIM,
Lahore, June .26