Student Unions in Pakistan

ISF: Thoughts of a concerned mind

Rana Rizwan Hussain

Students constitute to a big mass strength of every nation and the same is in Pakistan. History of student Union ship in Pakistan goes back to the Pakistan movement. Muslim Students Federation (MSF) was the first student union founded for the cause of an independent state for Muslims and the role of students in the Pakistan movement is acknowledged. After Pakistan came into being Quaid e Azam advised students to alienate themselves from the politics and merely focus on the studies. Quaid while addressing students at Islamic College Peshawar on 12 April, 1948 said,

 “My young friends, I look forward to you as the real makers of Pakistan, do not be exploited and do not be misled. Create amongst yourselves complete unity and solidarity. Set an example of what youth can do. Your main occupation should be in fairness to yourself, to your parents, in fairness to the State, to devote your attention to your studies. If you fritter away your energies now, you will always regret.

Develop a sound sense of discipline, character, initiative and a solid academic background. You must devote yourself whole-heartedly to your studies, for that is your first obligation to yourselves, your parents and to the State. You must learn to obey for only then you can learn to command.”

The role of students as a mass force was supposed to end up with the emergence of Pakistan as an independent state on the map of the world and in accordance with Quaid’s advice to the students that they should devote themselves to the studies as their first obligation. Unlike Quaid’s advice what happened was that more and more student unions were founded which resulted into the fraction between the students and development of rivalry with each other. Democratic Students Federation (DSF) and Islami Jamiat e Talaba (IJT) were founded soon after the creation of Pakistan. With the passage of time many political parties came into being in the country and almost every party laid down the foundation stone of a new student union. Every party tried to strengthen itself by creating a lobby into the student, hence another rift in students. Some ethnic groups in the country also penetrated into the students and established their own groups such as Pakhtun Students’ Federation (PKSF), Baloch Students’ Organization (BSO), All Pakistan Mohajir Students’ Organization (APMSO), etc.

As a result of establishment of these unions students were manipulate in various political movements of the country and agitations against the government. Political parties started making direct involvement in the students’ affairs and sponsored the elections of the office bearers of unions. These acts of political parties doomed many academic institutions by distracting the students from their main task and involving them into the power politics. It also divided the students in different fractions confronting each other. These, students were subsequently exploited in the hands of political leadership of the country who used them for their political motives. Gradually the politics in academic institutions became common under the patronage of political parties. Since, these student unions were formed not for the welfare of the student community but for using them in the political war game, therefore, these unions became a parallel strength to the state, challenging the authority of the state at many occasions. Also that instead of competent students, goons started holding offices of the unions.

This resulted into the creation of power units in the universities and colleges and side by side gave rise to the misuse of power and corruption by the members of union. Use of arms against the rival students as well as the administration became usual. In some cases extortion of money from the transporters, contractors working in the institution and nearby business proprietors by threatening them also happened. Serious academic students were harassed to join the unions and were forced to become part of the processions, agitations and protests against government. Those who refused were punished and victimized. However, this student union culture dominated the academic culture and spoiled the quality of education being imparted from number of prestigious academic institutions. Concerned parents were compelled to choose the private institution for their children upon the government institutions, where unions operated. The story did not end up just here but member students of one union also became victims of the rival groups when their patron political parties came to power. Overall student unions adversely affected the academic institutions severely, instead of giving any benefit.

Sensing the negativity taking breed through student unions, these were once banned in 1984 but that ban could survive only till 1988, when it was lifted again. At present dozens of student unions are operating in different colleges and universities of Pakistan and a recent development is that of Insaf Student Federation (ISF) under the patronage of Pakistan Tehrik e Insaf, which raises the slogan of justice and welfare in the society. The question which so far is going unanswered by the sponsors of ISF is that how this union is going to be distinct in its role from that of many other student unions in the country? How it would be ensured that students belonging to this union are not exploited and misled?

In this regard PILDAT discussion paper of 2008 raises 22 sound questions which deserve to be answered before taking any measure for the progress of student union culture in the country. Leaving those questions unattended would in any case add to the negativity instead of positivity. Mr. Khan whose speeches inspire public at large has to explain that how he is going to save the academic institutions from further damnation by taking a typical step which all other political leaders took for their political gains? How he is going to ensure the positive role of ISF and how does he strategize to keep this union away from the power politics and also from their victimization by the rivals? How it would be ensured that the command of this union does not go in the incompetent hands? How Mr. Khan would answer Quaid’s advice to students that they should devote themselves whole heartedly to the studies as this is their first obligation to themselves, to their parents and to the state? All concerned minds await answers to these questions.

Writer is a Lahore based practicing lawyer and a lecturer in laws. Email: – hnachambers@gmail.com