Students arrested from Quaid-e-Azam University hostels were transferred to the Bakshi Khana (judicial lockup) at the local court premises on Tuesday, but their lawyers have reportedly been denied access to meet them.
Lawyers representing the students, including advocates Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha attempted to meet the detained students at the lockup but were stopped at the gate by police officials.
“Our two lawyers must be allowed to meet the detainees, or they should be brought before the court,” the lawyers demanded at the scene.
SHO Mian Imran, present on-site, responded, “I’ll try to arrange your meeting.”
The situation remains tense as legal representatives continue to press for basic rights of access to the arrested students, raising broader questions about transparency and due process in the ongoing case.
Universities in Pakistan have turned against their own students. 70 students from Quaid e Azam University have been arrested in Islamabad for simply requesting that hostels be kept open over the summer.
— Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ذوالفقار علي ڀٽو (@BhuttoZulfikar) July 29, 2025
Keep our students safe! Keep campuses safe!
The legal team continues to press for immediate access, emphasizing the students' right to legal representation.
70+ students arrested at QAU.
— Dr. Taimur Rahman (@Taimur_Laal) July 29, 2025
They were protesting to start summer semester.
Imagine. They were arrested because they want to study.
On July 29, Islamabad police arrested around 60 students during an early morning raid at Quaid-i-Azam University hostels, acting on a written request from the university administration.
70+ students are being kept in illegal detention without any FIR at PS Secretariat in a matter which should never even have reached the Police Station. https://t.co/p7pUSg9BsZ
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) July 29, 2025
The hostels had reportedly been ordered to be vacated by July 13 for maintenance work during the summer break.
According to the administration, several notices were issued before action was taken.
Police stated that students who resisted were removed and may face legal action.
Human rights lawyer, Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, has claimed that as many as 72 students had been taken into custody from the varsity.
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