Senate orders restoration of student unions in Islamabad universities

The Senate Standing Committee on Education has approved the Islamabad Capital Student Union Bill 2023.

The Committee passed Capital Student Union Bill 2023 in ‘principle’ in a meeting held under the chair of Senator Irfan Siddiqui on Wednesday.

The committee members were asked to submit suggestions in a week.

Senator Behrmand Tangi stated that “problems” are created with the lack of student unions in educational institutions in the universities. He gave an example of the University of Peshawar which was closed for three months due to protests.

“The purpose of this bill is to give rights to the students. This is not a political bill. With this bill, the problems of teaching in the university will be solved,” he said.

Similarly, senator Jam Mehtab Dahar believes that unionisation can reduce student protests in universities.

A representative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), however, suggested establishing councils instead of students’ unions.