Student leaders ask for involvement in union legislation

Emphasise need to inculcate progressive values in student unions

KARACHI: Student leaders called upon the Sindh government to incorporate their suggestions in the proposed law to restore student unions in the province.

They were speaking at an open forum, entitled "Roles and Responsibilities of Student Unions in 21st Century", organised by the Youth Action Committee (YAC) at the Karachi Press Club. The event aimed to bring stakeholders in the process together to discuss how student unions can move ahead and gather recommendations to share with the provincial government, which recently moved a new bill for student unions in the Sindh Assembly.

Calling the session a testament to the fact that Pakistan's students, and particularly those in Sindh, were now aware of their rights, YAC chairperson Sindhu Nawaz Ghanghro said, "On September 21, students from Hyderabad to Kashmore walked to fight for their rights and demand the respect and dignity they deserve as citizens of this country."

She thanked the Sindh government for moving the bill on the assembly floor, adding that the youth of the province wanted to share their suggestions for making it "useful" rather than "just a piece of paper."

Ghanghro said that the bill should be shaped in accordance to the demands of the main stakeholders, proposing that the government should ensure varsity syndicates having at least two student representatives instead of only one.

Meanwhile, Sabir Ali Haider, from the National Students Federation, emphasised the need for progressive values to be inculcated among unions, especially given the shifting dynamics over the past 35 years.

"Listening to students is the need of the hour," said Dr Jabbar Khattak, editor of Awami Awaz. "Those in power must realise the significance of having the youth as stakeholders in the process of politics and governance."

Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, a former MPA, urged students to be assertive in ensuring that their rights are not overlooked when legislation is being made, telling the audience that just having a bill passed was not enough. "The frustration among students is evident and it can only be curbed with the help of their representation in the process," she added, advising students to discuss their fears, reservations and concerns with the Sindh education minister before the bill was passed.

Meanwhile, Zulfiqar Shah, the joint director of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, highlighted the dire state of higher education in Pakistan. "Pakistan's population is 207 million and the youth, comprising those under 30, are approximately 64 per cent of that population," he stated. "However, only six per cent of our youth are able to reach universities, and the women among them are only 3.5 per cent."

Stressing that the democratic rights of students should be endorsed, he said that students would always be supported in fighting for their rights.