Notices issued on petition for holding student union elections at Karachi University

The Sindh High Court issued notices to officials over a petition demanding student union elections at the University of Karachi. A two-judge constitutional bench led by Justice Riazat Ali Sahar directed the university's registrar to appear in person on November 12th. The petitioners, law students, argued the Sindh Students Union Act provided a framework for student unions' establishment and elections within two months of enactment.

They also cited the University of Karachi Act, which lacks regulations for elections, despite the law being enacted four years ago. The petitioners contended that student organizations had been banned since martial law in 1984 but were reinstated after the assembly repealed the ban in 1988-89. They argued the university had a duty to frame regulations and hold elections, citing violations of constitutional rights including freedom of assembly and association.

The petitioners sought directions to complete the vetting of the Sindh Students Union Rules and notify them in the official gazette. The court ordered notices to be issued to the respondents, including the university's registrar, for the next hearing.