Education is a constitutional right of every citizen, irrespective of religion, caste, class or region. However, the current KSP (Karachi-Sindh-Pakistan) admission policy of the University of Karachi appears to be in violation of the Karachi University Act, 1972 and the Constitution of Pakistan which guarantee equality and non-discrimination in access to education.
Under the KSP admission structure, students are divided into three tiers — Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan — with Karachi students given first priority for admission. As a result, applicants from other districts of Sindh as well as other provinces, despite having higher scores, are often denied seats simply because of their place of schooling. This categorisation creates a clear regional bias that runs counter to the spirit of equality enshrined in both the Constitution and the University’s Founding Act.
Education is not a privilege to be divided by postal code; it is a national right. The policy, while perhaps intended to include local students, effectively institutionalises regional discrimination. Such an approach fractures academic unity and fuels resentment among deserving students in the country. Instead of promoting diversity and inclusion — the hallmarks of a national university — the policy risks widening the divide between regions and eroding confidence in merit-based selection.
Government universities should reflect Pakistan’s federal character, not reinforce provincial boundaries. Admissions should reward merit and effort rather than geography. A student from Sukkur or Peshawar, if he meets the criteria of merit, deserves the same educational opportunity as a student from Karachi.
Therefore, Karachi University should review the KSP admission framework. Policies that are against legal and constitutional principles undermine the credibility of the institution. A transparent, merit-based and inclusive admission system will serve both Karachi and Pakistan better.
If Pakistan is to strengthen its education system, the principle of equality before law must begin at the classroom door. The future of higher education depends not on local quotas, but on equal opportunities and national unity.
Aaqib Uddin Mahesar
Karachi
