THERE is some misplaced belief that the administration of Karachi University has taken campus security seriously after the suicide bombing a few months ago. This seems to be nothing but hogwash, for the university is still as unsafe, despite the presence of law-enforcement agencies, as any crime-infested area in the city may well be.

Being a student of the university, I initially felt proud that our system takes security of the students seriously while the whole city is considered unsafe. A scary incident at one of the university gates compelled me to change my opinion about the so-called campus security.

A few girl students at the Kaneez Fatima Gate of the university were only minutes away from being kidnapped. They survived only because they raised a lot of hue and cry owing to which a crowd gathered at the spot and the culprits ran away for their own safety. Had the girls not kept their wits about them, they would have been taken away without anyone even noticing anything.

We, as students, trusted the administration blindly which made us walk all the way from the Jubilee Gate to our respective departments for several months becasue vans and university buses were not being allowed to enter the premises. Now, when they are being allowed to enter, it is a hassle to get off the buses and boarding them again following the ‘security check’. And to face the hassle every day is irritating.

The shuttle service is also a huge disgrace as only a few shuttles are there and they are unable to accommodate a large number of students. Considering the kidnapping attempt at university’s gate, these ‘security measures’ only seem to be an attempt to cover up for the administration’s incapacity and incompetence.

The relevant authorities should make Karachi University a safe place to learn at instead of running ‘security’ shows for media attention as blatant publicity stunts.

Name withheld on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2022