UNFORTUNATELY, the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad has over the years become a battleground between members of various ethnic and religious groups on the campus. Violence and learning cannot go hand in hand. It is no wonder that the academic process at the QAU stands compromised.

The members of these student groups have entrusted themselves with some ‘extra-academic’ objectives. For instance, the ethnic councils want to have unbridled influence over the institution, while the religious groups try to impose their own code of ethics on everyone across the campus. Naturally, both want to be ack-nowledged as the dominant force.

In this struggle for domination, violence occurs and the academic process remains at the receiving end of this tussle.

An academic institution known for its research culture is clueless about prote-

cting its reputation and the learning environment.

To add insult to injury, these violent groups have become so influential that they can wreak havoc and go scot-free. The university administration cannot control these violent groups on its own nymore; the federal government also needs to play its role in this regard.

In order to make it possible, legislation is required to bar political, ethnic and religious parties from defending violent students and influencing the adminis-tration once action is taken against the troublemakers.

On its part, the QAU administration needs to ensure discipline on campus by empowering progressive societies against violent groups. It is also the responsibility of the administration to provide students with due opportunities to learn skills.

Wali Ejaz Nekokara
Chiniot

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2024