Student unions

Students are the most active part of society. They are aware of issues affecting society. In Pakistan, this segment of society has been kept out of the democratic process for the past many years. This is having serious consequences for the society. So it is in the fitness of things that the Sindh Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution asking for lifting the ban on student unions in the province. Moved by PPP MPA Nida Khuhro and supported by all opposition parties, the resolution demanded the revival of student unions as well as the maintenance of a healthy environment within the educational institutions of the province. The resolution empahasised the need for the youth of the province to actively and meaningfully participate in the democratic, social, cultural and political processes of the country and of the province.

Student unions were banned by the authoritarian regime of Gen Ziaul Haq in 1984 after it felt threatened by student power. In 1988, Benazir Bhutto decided to lift the ban, but her decision was challenged in the Supreme Court. Off and on, there have been demands for restoring student unions. One of the bad consequences of the continued ban on student unions is that it resulted in the undesirable growth of parochial politics on the campus. Universities are meant to promote enlightenment. But the ban on student unions only harmed the cause of enlightenment. Student unions serve as nurseries for leaders. But universities cannot serve this important purpose when they have a stifling environment due to the absence of student unions. Student unions help produce leaders of calibre. In the past, such leaders made proceedings in legislatures lively. They possessed both ability and wit. Our own Quaid-e-Azam was a great wit. When he joined the Muslim League, a reporter said to him, “Once you were in the Congress?” The Quaid retorted, “At one time I was in a primary school as well.” Now wit has become alien to the political culture. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2019.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.