A large group of students staged a protest at the University of Karachi (UoK) on Thursday, voicing their concerns over a range of issues, including repeated fee hikes, substantial fines for late payments, inadequate transport services, a shrinking faculty, deteriorating infrastructure, and declining campus security. The protesters warned of intensifying their demonstrations if the university administration failed to address their grievances.

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The protest, organized by several student organizations, saw leaders from different groups uniting to amplify their demands. Speaking at a joint press conference, Hamza Alam from Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), Azhar Ali from Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), Ali Bukhari from People’s Students Federation (PSF), and Waqas Meer from Punjabi Students Association (PSA) sharply criticized the university’s performance.

They highlighted that the university had once again increased semester fees and imposed heavy penalties for late payments, burdening students already struggling to afford their education. “The administration is exploiting us with constant fee hikes while failing to ensure basic services and security,” said Hamza Alam, urging the university to prioritize student welfare.

The student leaders also expressed concern over the rising incidents of crime on campus, including frequent thefts of motorcycles and mobile phones in recent months. “Campus security is virtually non-existent,” said Azhar Ali. “We fear for our safety, and the administration seems indifferent to our plight.”

The protest leaders announced plans for a major demonstration outside the administration block next week if their demands are not addressed promptly. “We are prepared to continue our protests and even escalate them until the administration meets our demands,” warned Ali Bukhari.

In response to the students’ concerns, the University of Karachi’s Academic Council convened a meeting and approved the admission guidelines for the 2025 academic year. Admissions are set to begin in the last week of October, following the release of intermediate exam results.

However, the administration has yet to respond to the students’ demands for a reduction in fees, improved security, and better transport services. With tensions escalating, it remains to be seen whether the administration will engage in dialogue with the student leaders to address their concerns or face further unrest in the coming weeks.

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