JI donates eight buses to Karachi University

Karachi: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has presented eight refurbished buses to Karachi University (KU) in response to the institution's deteriorating conditions, limited transportation options, and insufficient government assistance. At a ceremony held on Thursday, JI president Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman presented the buses to KU Vice Chancellor Dr Waseem Qazi.

The buses, refurbished by JI town administrations, were a gift to the university, which educates over 45,000 students. The event was attended by JI town chairmen, party leaders, student representatives, KU faculty members, and other staff.

Hafiz Naeem emphasized that JI would continue supporting university students when they advocate for their rights. He also called for the reinstatement of student unions, which had been absent for 42 years, claiming that their absence had weakened democratic practices and deterred educated individuals from engaging in politics. Hafiz asserted that student unions would allow students to vote yearly for their representatives, transforming campus disputes into productive activities and enabling women to participate in public life.

He described student unions as the "nurseries of democracy" and lamented the ban on these unions for the past four decades.

Hafiz expressed concerns over the overall state of universities nationwide, citing the KU's overgrown campus, dilapidated departments, and lack of government grants. He urged students to assert their rights effectively and assured them that JI would support them in every way possible. He also criticized the petroleum levy, arguing that students paid Rs130 for every liter of petrol, including Rs80 in an "extortion tax" unrelated to the actual price.

Hafiz suggested that abolishing the levy would significantly lower petrol prices and stimulate economic growth. He warned that JI would lead a long march to Islamabad if the government did not withdraw the levy and called for a fight against "cartels and mafias."

Hafiz expressed worry over the increasing drug use in educational institutions and the absence of positive activities for students. He announced that JI would distribute at least 2,000 Taleem Cards to KU students to address their problems. He stated that around 1.7 million people from across the country had registered for the party's Bano Qabil program and planned to incorporate artificial intelligence technology into the initiative.

Karachi JI chief Monem Zafar noted that the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) at KU turned the slogan "Whatever effort we make, it should be for the university" into reality by aiding the provision of the buses. He emphasized JI's commitment to going beyond its obligations and pledged further assistance for the university.

KU Vice Chancellor Dr Waseem Qazi mentioned that 47,000 students commute to and from the university daily, and the addition of the eight refurbished buses would bring the total fleet to 33. He stated that at least 100 buses would be necessary to accommodate the transportation needs of female students, who make up 30% of the student body.

Dr Qazi paid tribute to Hafiz Naeem for addressing students' transportation concerns and highlighted the importance of universities in shaping the nation's future leaders and professionals. He stressed that education had increasingly become a business and called for collective efforts to enhance the university's quality.