In a statement issued on social media Dr. Fauzia Imran wrote, “I have decided not to receive my PhD degree on stage as a protest against chief guest, Shahbaz Gill. He does not deserve to be a chief guest of the convocation of a prestigious university like LCWU”.
Dr. Fauzia is an associate professor of political science at Science College, Lahore. When her name was announced Fauzia remained seated and did not go onto the stage to receive her degree.
When asked about the incident, Gill said that there was democracy in the country and everyone had a right to do as they wished.
The principal of the college has said that the professor's account was hacked and that she had not said any such thing herself.
Shahbaz Gill is often the subject of news and social media attention because of his statements. During the ongoing wedding festivals of Junaid Safdar, he disapproved of Captain Safdar’s, the groom's father, dress, saying that he looked like a waiter.