• VC Qazi says at least 100 buses needed to meet even 30pc of varsity’s transport needs
• Hafiz Naeem emphasises need to restore student unions

KARACHI: After years of transport-related challenges, Karachi University (KU) got back its eight point buses—refurbished by Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) led town administrations—at a ceremony held on Thursday.

KU officials said the university had previously acq­u­ired the buses from municipal authorities and later repaired them at the expense of various JI-adm­in­istered town municipal corporations—including North Nazimabad, Liaqua­tabad, Model Colony, Gulberg, New Karachi and Gulshan-i-Iqbal —following an agreement.

Speaking at the ceremony, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Waseem Qazi expr­e­ssed gratitude for the contribution and explained that the KU, having an enro­llment of 47,000 students, only had a fleet of 33 buses.

“We require at least 100 buses to meet even 30 per cent of the transport needs, while annual diesel expe­nses have risen from Rs60 million to Rs120m,” he told the audience, emphasising that high­­er education should be seen as an investment in the future.

Highlighting university efforts, he said the administration was actively working on modernising academic systems, enhancing employability, and establishing an incubation centre to prepare students for professional life. He added that alumni support in fin­a­ncial, social, and cultural spheres was essential for KU’s revival and growth.

In his remarks, Ameer JI Pakistan Hafiz Naeem-ur- Rehman stated that the government must abolish levies and taxes on petroleum products to provide the much- needed relief to the common man.

He said citizens cur­­­rently pay around Rs135–140 per litre in tax­es, including Rs80 petr­oleum levy, Rs5 climate support levy, and Rs21 customs du­ty. He argued that reducing taxes and improving global prices could bring petrol down to Rs200 per litre.

He also spoke about the troubles KU students faced due to inadequate public transport, forcing many to rely on motorcycles despite poor road conditions and delays in the University Road project. “Corruption and mismanagement have deprived Karachi’s citizens of bas ic facilities,” he regretted.

Hafiz Naeem also said that restoration of student unions was necessary for promoting democratic lead­e­rship among youth. “Students should have the opportunity to elect their representatives every year, because unions play a vital role in fostering democratic traditions, raising political awareness, encouraging healthy debates, and preparing capable leadership.”

He stressed that the rev­ival of unions would repl­ace conflicts with constructive activities and healthy political trends, while also providing female students with opportunities to express their abilities and take part in leadership.

Ameer JI Karachi Mon­em Zafar Khan termed the restoration of eight buses a welcome gift for KU students. He acknowledged the role of town chairmen in utilising available resou­rces for student welfare and emphasised that solving KU students’ problems was a mutual responsibility.

He also shared the concern over student unions, stating that their absence had weakened representation and problem-solving mechanisms. “Their revi­val will strengthen democratic values, improve communication between students, faculty, and administration, and enhance the academic environment,” he noted.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026