QAU violence leaves 25 students injured

At least 25 students were injured in a clash between two student groups at the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) on Sunday. A clash broke out between the members of the Punjabi Students Council and the Pakhtun Students Council.

The injured were admitted to Polyclinics and PIMS hospitals while the university administration got a case registered against 380 students including the leaders of the two groups with Secretariat police. However, the police did not arrest anyone.

QAU's English campus manager Nadeem Abbas, in his complaint to the police, narrated that a security guard of Hostel 5 alerted the latter around 10pm on Saturday that there was a fight in the square.

It was later established that some Punjabi students had tortured Muzamil Marwat in the square above Karachi Heights. The student suffered severe head injuries. Following the initial confrontation, tensions escalated as students from both groups began to gather in large numbers.

After the incident, up to 80 Punjabi students led by Punjabi Students Council Rana Hassan started gathering at Hostel 7 with sticks and iron rods.

On the other hand, about 300 students led by Pakhtun Students Council chairman Asad Turi and other members also gathered at the new cafeteria equipped with sticks and iron rods.

Turi addressed the Pakhtun students and then they attacked Hostel 7. The fight between the two groups of students continued for about 40 minutes in which around 25 students of both groups were injured.

The university administration called the police to intervene, and the situation was eventually brought under control.

According to a police officer, the clash, which erupted near the university hostels, saw dozens of students from both sides engaging in a physical fight.

The Secretariat police registered a case under sections 324, 506, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) with no arrest so far.

The clash has raised concerns among the student body and the administration about the rising tensions between student groups on campus. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred at QAU, and many are calling for stricter measures to prevent future violence.

The university has yet to release an official statement on the matter, but students and staff alike have urged calm and peaceful dialogue to resolve the underlying issues between the groups.

Moreover, the campus remained on high alert as authorities were working to restore order and ensure the safety of all students.

In light of these events, many students are advocating for the implementation of conflict resolution programs and increased security measures to foster a safer campus environment, emphasizing the need for unity and collaboration among the diverse student body.