PESHAWAR: The students enrolled in the Accelerated Skills Development Programme (ASDP) for merged tribal districtson Saturday alleged irregularities, non-payment of stipends and eviction from hostels at the University of Engineering and Technology’s Jalozai Campus.
They demanded that their internships be arranged in peaceful areas and examinations conducted in a secure environment. The allegations were levelled by ASDP students’ representative Habib Noor Wazir during a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club.
Students from North and South Waziristan, Bajaur, Khyber, Orakzai, Mohmand and Kurram tribal districts accompanied him.
Mr Wazir said the skills development programme, launched by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for youth from the merged tribal districts, had remained plagued by problems since its inception, including a shortage of instructors and interruptions in classes.
He alleged that students had been asked to undertake practical internships in Bannu and other areas affected by terrorism, making it difficult for them to participate. The ASDP students’ representative claimed that the arrangement had caused serious concerns among students over their safety.
“The internship programme has become a source of anxiety for us instead of helping us acquire skills,” he said, demanding that students be given the opportunity to complete their training in peaceful areas.
Mr Wazir also alleged that students had not received their monthly stipends and had not been provided regular classes.
He claimed that whenever students raised their concerns, they were threatened with cancellation of their identity cards and registration of cases against them, while their parents were contacted and intimidated.
According to Mr Wazir, students were evicted from the hostels of Jalozai Campus on the night between Friday and Saturday.
He urged Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to take notice of “irregularities in the name of skills development” at UET and provide shelter to the displaced students.
“We have to acquire these skills at all costs even if we have to spend days and nights on Peshawar pavements,” he said, adding that the students would not return to their respective districts until their training programme is completed.
Mr Wazir said the students had also approached the industries department at the Civil Secretariat in Peshawar and informed officials about their grievances but alleged that no effective action had been taken.
He demanded that the government investigate the students’ complaints, ensure payment of their outstanding stipends and arrange internships and examinations in safe locations.
Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026