PESHAWAR: Students of various educational institutions held a rally here on Friday to demand of the federal government to lift ban on student unions.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for provision of facilities to the students, the protesters demanded restoration of the student unions so they could raise voice for their rights in a befitting manner.

Later, talking to mediapersons outside the Peshawar Press Club, protesters’ leader Qasim Khan said the student unions had been banned by a martial law, but the successive democratic governments also maintained the restriction.

He said it was ironic that the government had allowed the employees of different public sector provincial and federal departments to hold their elections ban on the student unions remained intact.

Qasim Khan said restriction on student unions was clear violation of the Article 17 of the Constitution, which states that “every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality”.

Qasim Khan also demanded provision of sufficient funds to the public sector universities and facility of half fare in public transport for students.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2021