Saif promises steps to restore student unions

PESHAWAR: Advisor to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif on Wednesday said that all possible measures would be taken to restore student unions.

“It will give students the opportunity to voice their concerns within educational institutions. The ban on student unions had adverse effects on national politics, shifting control to feudal forces,” he told an event at Markaz Islami.

The All Parties Student Union had organized the event at Markaz Islami to discuss the restoration of student unions.

The CM aide stated that the ban on student unions had adverse effects on national politics, shifting control to feudal forces.

Barrister Saif underscored that student unions served as a vital channel for producing true representatives of the people and these were essential to safeguarding the rights of the students.

He said the ban on student unions was a shared issue and expressed his commitment to raising this matter with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

He announced plans to request the provincial assembly to address this critical issue to lift the restrictions on student unions.

Saif said the restrictions on student gatherings in educational institutions were in violation of Article 17 of the Constitution and the right to freedom of expression.

He promised that a meeting between the leaders of student organizations, Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, and other officials would soon be arranged to discuss the concerns of the students and work toward meaningful solutions.

The participants at the event unanimously demanded the restoration of student unions and said it was the only way to address challenges faced by students in colleges and universities.

Student leaders said a ban on gatherings in educational institutions infringed upon constitutional rights and asked the government to ensure freedom of expression for students.