Universities are meant to be spaces of learning, debate and personal growth, yet recent incidents of violence on campuses in Balochistan and Karachi have shaken this very foundation. For many students, the classroom is no longer a safe place but one overshadowed by fear and uncertainty.
The consequences of such violence go beyond physical harm. It damages the academic environment, disrupts studies and leaves a lasting impact on students’ mental health. When young people feel unsafe in educational institutions, the entire purpose of higher education is undermined.
Authorities and university administrations must take urgent steps to address this. Stronger security, conflict-resolution mechanisms and student counselling services are essential. Above all, we must re-establish campuses as safe havens of knowledge rather than battlegrounds of unrest.
Azlina Razzak Baloch
Karachi
