Student unions' restoration stirs ambivalence

As some experts applaud the revolutionary step, others fear the mobilization of students for religious or political ag

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has officially passed a resolution to restore student unions in universities, marking a potentially transformative moment for the province's educational landscape. While the resolution is being hailed as a revolutionary step, the question remains: will this move be fully implemented for the cause of democracy or will it culminate into a heated religiopolitical clash.

In Pakistan, student unions have faced bans during various political regimes, including the martial law eras of Ayub Khan and Zia-ul-Haq. Experts argue that these restrictions stunted the country's political maturity and critical thinking among students. Hence, the restoration of student unions is seen by many as an opportunity to revive campus politics and provide students with a platform to engage in constructive dialogue.

Dr Uzair Ahmad, Assistant Professor at the University of Peshawar, praised the resolution as a positive step. Speaking to The Express Tribune, he emphasized that student unions played a crucial role in fostering political awareness and providing a platform for debates and discussions.

"Islamia College Peshawar, a historical institution, hosted leaders like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in its student union programs. The halls where students once engaged in political discussion still exist today. This initiative can revive that tradition and help students develop their political acumen," opined Dr Ahmad, who further encouraged student representation in key university bodies such as syndicates and other decision-making forums, since he believed that students were vital stakeholders in educational institutions.

Likewise, Advocate Tariq Afghan appreciated the recent move, describing it as a commendable decision that acknowledged the sacrifices students have made for genuine democracy in Pakistan. However, he cautioned against repeating past mistakes, where political parties exploited students for their own agendas. "When student unions were banned, political parties activated their wings within educational institutions, often manipulating students for their gains. Even during the Afghan Jihad, students were used as pawns. The absence of unions has left our political culture immature and fragmented," warned Afghan. Afghan expressed his hope that restoring student unions would stabilize and strengthen Pakistan's democratic foundations. However, he also criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for its lack of follow-through on promises made to the youth over the past 15 years. "Passing resolutions is one thing; implementing them is another. Unfortunately, many such promises remain unfulfilled," he remarked.

"Although this is a good step taken by the PTI government, we must ensure that the youth is not mobilized for rebellious purposes. In the past, the youth was misguided on the name of jihad, Student unions can be a positive development for democracy, but the current PTI government can also use the students to capture D-Chowk in Islamabad," sniggered Dr Irfan Ashraf, professor at the University of Peshawar.