Forman Christian College grieves tragic death of professor

Editor’s note: This statement was released by Forman Christian College, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) partner institution in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 21 following the murder of Khurshid Alam Gill.

Last night one of our faculty members, Khurshid Alam Gill, Associate Professor of Mass Communications and Warden of West Hall, was brutally murdered in his home, House #10, on campus. It seems clear that Gill Sahib had purchased some property to which the title was in dispute, and that his killing was by persons known to him regarding this matter. There does not appear to be any breach in our security system since the killers were known to him and came bearing “sweets” to share with him. The police are conducting an investigation and we trust that the guilty parties will soon be jailed. Clearly, this tragic event has nothing to do with terrorism.

Khurshid Alam Gill was a truly outstanding and very popular professor who loved students and always worked for their welfare. He also served as the Faculty In-Charge of the Co-Curricular Program, and was an effective administrator who was loyal to FCC and dedicated to our quest for excellence as a university. Khurshid Alam Gill gave up a position as Principal of one of the Cathedral Schools to join FCC at the time of de-nationalization and was a tireless worker in his efforts to serve his community and the greater cause of Forman Christian College.

Our entire Executive Staff spent several hours at West Hall last night in an attempt to help the residents deal with their grief over the loss of their Warden and friend. At noon today we held a prayer service in Sinclair Hall with about 1,000 persons in attendance. The service was a testimony to Interfaith Harmony with both Muslim and Christian speakers citing Khurshid Sahib as an example of one committed to that goal.

Khurshid Alam Gill will be greatly missed as a leader within our faculty, but we take some comfort in the belief that he is now with God and is free from earthly cares, pain and suffering.

We all join in prayers and support for Khurshid’s wife and son in their time of grief. The family plans for the burial to be scheduled this Sunday.