In a fervent call to action, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi’s Amir, Monem Zafar Khan, has indicated a series of protests including a potential sit-in at the Chief Minister’s House if the Sindh government does not grant student bodies the right to elect their unions. Speaking at a gathering organized by the Islami Jamiat Talaba, he emphasized the need to resolve issues affecting both educators and the public while asserting the priority of educational institutions’ autonomy. “There are various options available to us if our demands are not met,” he stated, adding that the movement would not relent until measures are taken to ensure students have the right to form unions.
The hunger for change comes as Karachi’s student body unites in opposition against the alleged negligence from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regarding student union elections and educational integrity. Khan denounced the PPP’s governance as detrimental, saying,
“The vision of the Sindh government is ‘ignorance for all,'” and declared, “We will not allow the PPP’s anti-education agenda to prevail.” He raised concerns about the education system’s decline, suggesting that the administration’s refusal to empower students reflects a deeper thoritarian inclination. The protests, which saw participation from students and educators across various universities, were organized in response to a recent bill presented in the Sindh Assembly aimed at curtailing university autonomy and the rejection of resolutions to hold student union elections.
