Parents urge CM to intervene as KU boycott enters second month
Parents of students enrolled at the University of Karachi have appealed to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to immediately intervene in the ongoing boycott by teachers and employees, warning that the prolonged disruption is jeopardising the academic future of thousands of students.
The appeal was made through a letter addressed to the chief minister, with copies also sent to Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Tariq Rafi and Universities and Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch.
The letter surfaced as the boycott by KU teachers and employees entered second month. Teachers have suspended examination-related duties, while employees continue to boycott administrative affairs, resulting in a near-complete halt of academic and administrative activities on the campus.
Expressing grave concern over the situation, the parents urged the provincial government and other relevant authorities to take immediate measures to protect the future of students and ensure the timely completion of semester examinations.
The parents described the ongoing strike and examination boycott as "illegal" and called upon the chief minister to fulfil his constitutional and administrative responsibilities by taking action against the disruption.
They added that students and their families were suffering severe mental stress due to the uncertainty created by the boycott. The letter pointed out that semester and examination fees had already been paid, while teachers and employees continued to receive their salaries on time, leaving no legal or reasonable justification for delaying examinations.
The parents recalled that students had already faced considerable disruption during the Covid-era smart lockdowns, when classes were conducted through a combination of physical and online modes. They said that after finally preparing for their examinations, students were once again facing uncertainty due to the boycott.
Referring to the demands being raised by university employees, the parents termed calls for an increase in the house ceiling and payment of leave encashment as unreasonable.