KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)-led town administrations have donated eight buses to the University of Karachi to facilitate students’ transportation.
At a ceremony held at the university on Thursday, JI Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman handed over the keys of the buses to Karachi University Vice Chancellor Dr Wasim Qazi.
Addressing the ceremony, Hafiz Naeem announced that another 10 buses would be donated to the university next year.
He said around 30,000 students at Karachi University lacked an adequate transport system, adding that the university needed greater attention to improve facilities for students.
Despite limited powers and resources, nine town administrations had demonstrated exemplary performance, he said, adding that local governments lacked basic authority over water supply and sanitation.
Recalling the university’s past transport facilities, Hafiz Naeem said it had 125 buses during the period when the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba (IJT) had a student union.
He called for the immediate restoration of students’ constitutional right to form unions, saying student representation was essential for improving the education system. Student unions have been banned in educational institutions across the country since 1984, he added.
The JI chief also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of various university departments, blaming a lack of attention for their decline.
He said education was a key priority for his party and announced plans for a nationwide campaign to promote education. He urged people from all sections of society to unite in raising their voices for their rights.
Criticising the Sindh government, Hafiz Naeem alleged that the province’s development was being undermined by corruption and a dysfunctional system. He also criticised the government over the heavy petroleum levy imposed on consumers.
Referring to international protests against Israel’s war on Gaza, he said even people in Europe had taken to the streets to condemn the atrocities against Palestinians.
Read More: Karachi University students file petition in SHC for student union’s revival
Earlier, students from Karachi University’s School of Law filed a petition in the Sindh High Court seeking the restoration of student unions at the institution.
The petition names the chief secretary, secretaries of universities and boards, colleges and law, as well as the university’s vice chancellor and registrar, as respondents.