Islamia College on the brink of collapse

While most would expect classical educational institutions to act as torch bearers for the advancement of the nation, the deplorable state of affairs at the Islamia Colleges in the provincial capital, presents a gloomy picture.

Established in the 20th century in Peshawar, the Islamia College, had historically played a key role in advancing the Independence movement in the subcontinent and had also nurtured the political ethos of various ruling elites in the early years of Pakistan. Concurrently, its daughter institution, the Jamia Usmania, known popularly as the “mother of knowledge”, was also widely revered for having produced many accomplished alumni, who dutifully served the nation.

In recent times however, the two institutions have caught the public eye for all the wrong reasons. With regular student and faculty protests, frequent robberies and occasional murders, the colleges have lost their appeal to prospective students and have, in no time, turned into sites of widespread social chaos.

“The good reputation of the Islamia College has long gone”, resented Izhar Ullah, a senior alumni. “Given daily protests, student clashes and crime occurrences, regular classes no longer take place. If the current situation persists, soon enough no parent would want to send their child for studying here,” he added.

According to the President of the Peshawar University Teachers Association, Dr Muhammad Uzair, poor administrative structures and inadequate vigilance are paramount factors behind the worsening law and order atmosphere on the campuses. “The administration does not monitor the conduct of classes nor does it guarantee the availability of the 350 members of the teaching faculty,” said Uzair. “Nor does the vigilance invest in installing modern surveillance equipment, like security cameras, in order to keep check on student activity and curb the crime rate,” he added.

Apart from this, Uzair also cited meagre salaries of the teaching faculty as being a major factor behind regular faculty-led protests.

While some blame the administration for the deteriorating state of affairs, others cite nepotism in the government as being another major cause. As Shah Nawaz, a teacher at the Islamia College and member of the Islamia College Teachers Association, told The Express Tribune, “The government appoints the Vice Chancellor of the Islamia College based on its preferences and personal favorites and seldom takes into account the qualifying credentials of the appointee.”

Furthermore, Nawaz, revealed that majority of the appointed administration is from far flung areas and is ill-prepared for dealing with the local realities on campus. He also highlighted the recent murders on campus as being another factor contributing to the rising notoriety of the institution.

Indeed, the recent ironic murder of a professor by a security guard at the Islamia College and the murder of a security personnel at the Jamia Usmania, were moments of immense agitation among the student body and the alumni, who urged the government to take swift action against the perpetrators of the mayhem.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter, Khan Zaman, the President of the Islamia College Senior Alumni Association, nostalgically recalled times which were much more peaceful and prosperous, and simultaneously urged the relevant stakeholders to play their part in reinstating order. “The government, administration, faculty and students, must collectively work towards restoring the prestige and repute of these historical institutions,” concluded Zaman.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2023.