Academics, students welcome SC verdict

FAPUASA president says this is a historic decision from apex court

LAHORE: Academicians and student organisations welcomed the verdict of the Supreme Court saying that the decision is a positive development and a step towards transparency, accountability and strengthening the democratic system with a need to revive the political process from the grassroots level.

Punjab University’s Department of Political Science Dr Iram Khalid said that developing nations go through such phases to become a stable democracy and the basic needs of a democracy are constitutionalism and rule of law.”



Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Punjab Chapter President Dr Javed Ahmed was of the opinion that this was a historic decision. He said, “Corruption in the institutions of the country has always been a lingering problem for Pakistan.”



Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) National Organiser Zain ul Abidein said, “The whole debate is around corruption and that by the decision in this case will somehow resolve the fundamental issues faced by the country and its people. Corruption is a social evil but it will not solve problems of the people. The whole Panama case is the struggle for power among the ruling elites of the country and would not bring any change for the majority of the people.”

Call for revival of student unions

FAPUASA Punjab President Dr Javed was of the view that student unions should be revived as they protect the rights of students and banning them by saying that they create unrest was an unjust move and against the democratic traditions. He said, “For democracy to work in Pakistan, every segment should be given due representation, including students and youth.”



IJT Punjab University Nazim Usama Ijaz said student unions produced student leaders who later became politicians and brought reforms. He said that because if the ban on student unions, the country lacked capable leadership. “Students unions produced student leaders who later join political parties and bring reforms. When this process stopped, good leadership disappeared”.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2017.