Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Monem Zafar Khan, addressing a press conference at Karachi University’s Silver Jubilee Gate, called for reducing students’ fees at Karachi University (KU) to match those at Sindh University. He was joined by representatives of various student alliances. Munim urged the Sindh government to end its double standards and substantially increase grants for KU.
Highlighting students’ financial challenges, he said, “Karachi University has drastically increased its fees, forcing students to pay exorbitant amounts. Last year, 15,000 admission forms were submitted, but this year, only 7,000 students applied.
If universities continue to charge such high fees, admissions will continue to decline.” He pointed out stark differences in fee structures, citing that KU pharmacy students pay Rs 78,000 per semester, while Sindh University students in the same field pay only Rs 22,500. Similarly, a diploma in physical therapy at KU costs Rs 209,000 compared to Rs 80,000 at Sindh University. Monem expressed concerns over inadequate transportation facilities for students. KU currently operates only 28 point buses for its 45,000 students, compared to over 100 buses in the past.
In contrast, Sindh University provides 70 buses for its 22,000 students. He demanded an increase in the number of point buses at KU. Monem called the Red Line bus project a “nightmare” for citizens, particularly for students and residents near the university. Initially planned for completion by 2023, the project’s deadline has been extended to 2027. He accused contractors of neglecting public safety, saying, “Thousands of students travel daily along University Road, yet no safety measures have been implemented.”
Monem criticized the project’s skyrocketing costs, which have risen from USD 504 million to 700 million, and alleged widespread corruption in its implementation. He added that the project has severely disrupted the city’s infrastructure and called for prioritizing circular railway and mass transit projects for Karachi’s residents.
