KARACHI:
Hostels are supposed to be a safe and comfortable place for students who are away from home, but my experience at Fatima Jinnah Girls Hostel in Quetta was far from that. During the year and a half I spent there, I encountered many issues that made it difficult for me to focus on my studies.
The hostel rooms were overcrowded, with six people crammed into spaces meant for four. The hostel lacked basic facilities like heating and hot water during freezing winters. There were even days without any water at all. The food was overly oily and unhealthy, which added to the discomfort. In the summer, the situation worsened with frequent dehydration due to the lack of water.
The hostel manager was unhelpful. Instead of addressing our concerns, he would tell us to pack up and leave. When I informed my family about the lack of water, the manager retaliated by trying to force me out of the hostel. This made it impossible for me to concentrate on my studies, and I eventually had to leave the hostel.
I want to warn other students coming to Quetta: be careful when choosing a hostel. Don’t be fooled by appearances or by what others might say. Your safety and well-being should come first. My experience at the mentioned hostel was a tough lesson, and I hope sharing it helps others avoid the same situation.
Riffat Fazal
Quetta
