Students, teachers and staff stage side protests against exam disruptions, rising tuition fees and administrative collapse
Participants accused the administration of “turning education into a joke,” saying students who travel long distances and prepare diligently repeatedly face postponed or boycotted exams. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Protest tensions gripped the University of Karachi on Monday as students, faculty and staff took to the streets in separate but overlapping demonstrations against the cancellation of exams, rising tuition fees and the deepening financial and administrative crisis at the institution.
The protests were organized by Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba and a student alliance, who staged a demonstration and then marched from Terminal Point to Pharmacy Chowk, raising slogans against university politics and repeated academic disruptions.
Participants accused the administration of “turning education into a joke,” saying students who travel long distances and prepare diligently were repeatedly faced with postponed or boycotted exams.
They said such uncertainty was causing severe mental stress and academic loss, adding that despite high tuition fees, basic facilities on campus remained insufficient. Protesters also blamed ongoing conflicts between faculty and administration for directly harming students’ academic progress, urging both sides to urgently resolve their issues.
Learn more: KU professors. employees accuse VC of financial irregularities
Meanwhile, on the 25th day of an ongoing protest movement at the university, a large number of teachers, officials, employees and students gathered in front of the administrative block for a strong demonstration and march.
Participants raised slogans against financial mismanagement, administrative inefficiency and what they described as the “collapse of the academic environment” of the institution.
The stakeholders alleged that the issues, including house ceiling, arrears, evening program dues, examination payments, leave encashment, supervisors’ fees and retired employees’ dues, were pending for a long time. They accused the administration of resorting to delaying tactics, pressure politics and a lack of seriousness in resolving long-standing financial disputes.
Protesters have expressed deep concern that a leading educational institution has been pushed to such an extent that all stakeholders – teachers, staff and students – have been forced to take to the streets, while authorities continue to avoid any meaningful action.
They warned that if the issues were not resolved immediately, the protest movement would intensify and the administration and relevant government authorities would be held responsible for the consequences.
Protesters also announced that demonstrations would continue even on Eid days, with a rally planned in front of the administrative block, which would also be attended by families of teachers and employees to highlight the broader human impact of the crisis.
They urged Sindh Chief Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to immediately take cognizance of the situation, order transparent investigations into financial and administrative mismanagement, ensure payment of unpaid dues and take urgent measures to prevent further deterioration of the university.
