THE Zia-era ban on student unions has long outlived the reasons for which it was put in place. Over the years, Pakistan’s political leadership has made hesitant attempts at revoking the ban, and reviving student politics, but its efforts have come to naught. In the latest attempt, the unanimous resolution passed by the Sindh Assembly for restoration of student unions may yet be a first step towards stirring national debate on the revival of these bodies, at least in the province. In 2008, then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani announced his intention to revive the unions. Two years ago, the Senate passed a resolution in this regard, stating that the right to association was granted by the Constitution. The Senate resolution also addressed the 1993 Supreme Court verdict that prohibits students from participating in political activities, and stated that the revival of unions would not be in violation of it. The senators were of the view that the murder of Mashal Khan in Mardan might have been prevented had student unions existed in the country.

In fact, over the past three decades, there have been several incidents of deadly campus violence among rival student political groups, despite the presence of paramilitary forces in some varsities. The argument that a ban on student unions will deter armed violence on campuses was disproved long ago. Instead, the overall effect of the ban has been the very opposite of what was intended. Even a cursory glance at public-sector universities shows that student wings of all political parties continue to thrive, negating the notion that the ban has kept campuses from becoming politicised. These groups wield illegitimate influence over public-sector university and college authorities, not only hampering academic independence and smooth administration, but also making it easier for other extremist elements to flex their muscles on campus. The murder of Prof Khalid Hameed in Bahawalpur by a student is an extreme example of this. Then there is the Balochistan University scandal. One wonders whether the harassment case would have progressed differently had the students been able to access a legitimate forum that could have addressed their grievances. Let’s hope that the PTI-led government, with its thrust on youth development and its large number of young supporters, takes concrete steps towards reversing the institutional damage of decades caused by the ban on unions instituted during one of Pakistan’s darkest periods.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2019