Karachi University Students Stage Protest Against Fee Increase

A large group of students staged a demonstration at the University of Karachi on Thursday, protesting against several issues including a fee hike, steep penalties for late payments, lack of transportation services, declining faculty numbers, deteriorating infrastructure, and worsening campus security. They warned of escalating their protests if these concerns were not addressed.

In a show of unity, student organization leaders held a joint press conference, criticizing the university administration’s performance. Hamza Alam from Islami Jamiat Talaba, Azhar Ali from Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), Ali Bukhari from People’s Students Federation (PSF), and Waqas Meer from Punjabi Students Association (PSA) highlighted various long-standing issues that had gone unresolved despite multiple student protests.

They pointed out that the university once again raised semester fees and imposed heavy penalties on students who paid late while failing to provide basic services. The leaders also expressed alarm over the rise in criminal activities on campus, including the theft of motorcycles and cell phones over recent months. They announced plans for a major protest outside the administration block in the coming week, vowing to continue their campaign until their demands were met.

In the meantime, the KU Academic Council approved the admission guidelines for the 2025 academic year, stating that admissions would be announced in the last week of October, pending the release of intermediate exam results.