SUKKUR: A first year student died and several others fainted after suffering heatstroke during prolonged loadshedding while sitting examination for Higher Secondary School Certificate at Government Degree College in Therhi, Khairpur district, on Wednesday.

Mehtab Ali Mirbahr suffered intense heatstroke exacerbated by loadshedding and unhygienic conditions at the examination centre at the college, and died before he could reach hospital. The district experienced 43 degree centigrade on Wednesday.

Besides, scores of students fainted in several colleges across the district, including Mehar Shah Degree College, Kotdiji Degree College, Thehri Degree College, and Women’s College, sparking protest by students who demanded uninterrupted supply of electricity to exam centres.

The protesters led by Azhar Ali, Ali Nawaz, Sudheer Ali and others blamed prolonged loadshedding for the death of their fellow student and demanded an FIR be registered against SEPCO administration.

Meanwhile, the victim’s parents also demanded that the case should be registered not only against SEPCO officials but also against the college principal and secretary of education for failing to provide basic facilities to students at examination centres.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2023