Students face troubles as security tightens at KU after terrorist attack

• Security tightens inside Karachi University after attack. 
• Unauthorised persons, private vehicles have been barred from entering university.
• Students have to walk in scorching heat from university gate to their departments.

KARACHI: The security inside the University of Karachi has been tightened since the terrorist attack on the Chinese nationals, due to which students are facing a myriad of issues on campus.  

To enhance security, the university has barred unauthorised persons and private vehicles from entering the campus because of which students have no means to commute within the campus. 

Owing to the size of the university, students said they have to walk several kilometres in scorching heat from the university gate to their respective departments.

Students are allowed to enter the university after showing their university identity cards at the gate. However, security guards are not allowing students to travel on their motorcycles even after showing their identity cards. 

Read more: Four, including three Chinese nationals, killed in Karachi University blast

Recently, in an incident outside the Sheikh Zayed Gate of the university, security personnel started hitting a university student and detained him. 

On the other hand, all the canteens have been closed for an indefinite period of time, due to which students are unable to buy clean drinking water. 

According to the security adviser of the University of Karachi Dr Zubair, security measures are taken upon the advice of the law enforcement agencies to protect the students and teachers. "The CCTV cameras are being repaired, while walk-through gates and metal detectors have been ordered," he added. 

Read more: Karachi University students pay tribute to deceased Chinese teachers

About the reopening of the canteens, Dr Zubair said that the canteens were being run without tenders and there was no record of the employees. "Therefore, the canteens will be opened once the tenders are issued and employee records are verified," he said.

Regarding the accommodation of unrelated persons in the Staff Colony, the administration said that action is being taken against the unrelated residents inside the colony. 

Moreover, teachers have rented out their allotted plots illegally. The administration said that arrangements to save the students from trouble are being "improved."

Islami Jamiat-e-Talba criticises KU's administration 

Islami Jamiat-e-Talba (IJT) spokesperson Umair Baig said that the university administration is in a state of confusion which is clear from their actions. 

Condemning the university's "tight security", in a statement, Baig said that the students have to walk long distances in extreme heat. 

He warned the university administration to "keep ego and power out of their way," otherwise, the IJT will stage a protest. 

APMSO condemns mistreatment of students 

All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APSMO) also condemned the mistreatment of the students by the university administration. 

APMSO's central cabinet member Rehan Shah, in a statement, said that today's incident indicates that the university's management is failing to formulate a systematic policy, adding that the organisation is playing an active role to find a solution to these problems. 

He also warned that the students will protest for their rights if the university fails to issue a systematic policy by Monday.

PrSF condemns 'militarisation of universities'

In a handout, Progressive Students' Federation (PrSF) strongly condemned the militarisation of universities, as students are made to bear the impacts of the short-sighted policies of university admins.

The PrSF said that the students are made to bear the brunt of the security failures by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) on campuses, adding that "such excessive and reactionary behaviours only alienate the student body from the state".

"We ask the state to introspect on its policies as to why such behaviours are common amongst students in the first place," said that federation.

PSF expresses concern over KU's current situation

People's Students Federation (PSF) Information Secretary Talal Chandio, in his statement, expressed concern over the current situation and harassment of the students in the name of security at the Karachi University.

Condemning the terrorist attack on the Chinese nationals, Chandio said that the university administration should not use the tragedy to shield its incompetence.

"The PSF will soon announce a strategy if the situation does not improve," said Chandio.