QAU students' protest enters second day in Islamabad

Students of Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) continued their protest on the second day Tuesday in Islamabad after talks with the administration failed, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to details, students were staging a protest all night at Pindi Point and vowed to continue until their demands were accepted.

The students are demanding the construction of new hostels, citing severe accommodation and welfare issues.

On January 12, 2025, talks were held involving the Vice Chancellor of QAU, the SP City, a magistrate and representatives of the students, but no agreement was reached, prompting students to announce the continuation of their protest.

“There are no proper facilities in our hostels and even the medical centre lacks basic services,” said the chairman of the Pashtun Student Council while addressing the protesters.

Students demanded that either the university construct new hostels or the Capital Development Authority (CDA) build accommodation facilities outside the university to meet the growing needs of students. They warned that the strike would continue if their demands were not accepted.

Responding to reports of vandalism, the students denied involvement in puncturing the tyres of two or three buses, saying the act was not carried out by protesters.

They accused the university administration of spreading propaganda instead of raising students’ concerns before relevant authorities.

They also urged stakeholders to raise their voice for increased funding for Quaid-e-Azam University, saying improved resources were essential to address longstanding infrastructure and facility-related issues.

Reporter: Bilal Niazi