Alveena Agha
The SM Law College, which has given so much to Pakistan legal fraternity, yet looks orphan. Producing big names of Chief Justices of Pakistan, Judges, Advocates, Diplomats and Politicians but is still deprived of its own autonomy. 70% of students usually get failed from college but why? Students have to pay handsome amount as their tuition fee despite of the fact it is a government college, all the students effort is in vain but why? Papers aren’t conducted in last 2 years now this pandemic came, how much more loss will student lug?
Starting off with one of the recent cases of the SM Law College, where students were deprived of their right, when Supreme Court banned evening classes of all law colleges also asked to stop 3 years LLB program anymore, now this decision was made in September 2018. Students who graduated already took 3 years LLB program, only intermediate students were already taking 5 years LLB program. But after SC Orders what so ever 3 years LLB was banned, however the last 3 year LLB badge at the SM Law College was enrolled before that order, as per the law the new decision had to be implemented for new students not on those who were already enrolled a month ago. This is what categorically law or common sense says, but Karachi University here created a hindrance for SM Law college students and was quiet whole year when they were studying but rejected their enrolment when it was time for exams. Students were shocked on this injustice in this situation student who were not from Karachi and came to get a law education here, who were from rural areas their parents sent them after a huge struggle in life, what were they left with? They were not hopeless, they continued a protest college eventually took this issue to Bar council later filed a constitutional petition and proved in the court that Karachi University misinterpreted the SC Orders. Now the interesting fact is during this protest phase the rest of the students studying in SM Law who had no concern with any enrollments or CP their exams were also not conducted? Why the other regular students were also dragged into that issue? Who is responsible for 2 good years of student’s loss? When some newly established college can be converted into a university or at least degree awarding institute which comparatively have no comparison with the SM Law College, but the SM Law College is still a college! Every time students have to depend on University of Karachi. Why SM Law College can’t be at least made up a degree awarding institute? Students say because government doesn’t care about quality education, they are not concerned with student’s problems.
Every now and then students file “Constitutional Petition” for solving their concerns, every year students face issues with their marks, the checking of papers is not as per the merit student’s complains this. Some students go for scrutiny as they don’t feel satisfied with the results they are given, but unfortunately that is not scrutinized in genuine it’s just remarking of papers eventually students lose money once again but do not get justice. “Students who try to challenge Karachi University they are threatened to face the worst consequences directly or indirectly” reported a group of students from the SM Law College. I spoke to many students none of them was interested to have their statements in the article because they said they want a law degree they can’t mess with this corrupt system and they believe this system won’t change so they want to share their insights anonymously only. Every year students from the SM Law College are failing in huge percentage, students say it has become a business.
The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan clearly states that no one can be deprived of their fundamental right. In case someone is deprived of their fundamental right constitution gives the remedy which is to file a Constitutional Petition (CP.) unfortunately students of the SM Law College have couple of times filed CP but the question is why every time file a CP and get the solution of 1 problem? Why not a complete solution so that there is no hindrance in quality education of students, no wastage of time, energy and sources just a smooth education continues. The SM Law College has to get the autonomy.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was a part of the SM Law College he taught International Law to the institute, the current CJP Justice Gulzar Ahmed was one of the alumni, and you will be shocked to know the list of alumni some of the other names are: Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Agha Rafiq Ahmed Khan, Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, Haziq ul Khairi, Wajihuddin Ahmed, Syed Ghous Ali Shah, Zafar Hussain Mirza, Barrister Shahida Jamil
The SM Law College had been a couple of times in the news, but is this, the fate of every student who enrolls in the college? Who is responsible for violating the student’s fundamental right of education since decades? Is this state responsibility, PPP as its ruling for decades, students themselves, SM Law College management or Karachi University? This is a big question mark for concerned authorities.
Are all the education ministers to be questioned on this including Saeed Ghani, Should the entire minister for law be questioned on this matter? Would Murtaza wahab take up this issue? Or to whom shall students raise concerns? I leave it this for you to think on. May God bless us with true leaders who work on empowering our educational system!