he Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has initiated discussions on the long-standing issue of restoring student unions in educational institutions across the province.

During a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on April 23, it was noted that the provincial assembly had already passed a resolution supporting the revival of student unions.

A committee has been formed to submit recommendations in this regard. A code of conduct will likely be developed in consultation with the stakeholders. The meeting also decided that formal legislation would be introduced to define the framework, scope and regulatory structure of student unions.

The chief minister said that the revival of student unions would encourage students to participate constructively in democratic processes, help develop leadership skills and contribute to nurturing future leadership.

Malik Ihtisham-ul Haq, associated with the Pakhtoon Students Federation and a student of political science at the University of Peshawar, said that the restoration of student unions appeared to be a positive step. He said the unions could provide students with representation and a platform to raise their concerns.

He noted that many university managements fail to address students’ complaints about high tuition fees, shortages of hostel and transport facilities, inadequate campus services and the behaviour of university staff. He also said the treatment of teachers and professors in some institutions did not support a healthy academic environment.

“If the government wants student unions to succeed, it must first establish a strong system of accountability and effective grievance redress,” Malik Ihtisham said. “Merely announcing the restoration of unions is not enough; students must also be assured that their voices will be heard and their concerns addressed.”

The student activist said political interference must be limited to ensure that the uion activities are peaceful and constructive. He argued that governments and political parties in Pakistan had historically used students to serve political interests, adding that concerns over political influence would remain if unions were not kept independent.

He said the proposed code of conduct should clearly prohibit violence, weapons, hate speech and political pressure. It should ensure that unions remained focused on student welfare, education and campus-related issues.

“The government and university administrations must remain impartial so that unions do not become tools of political parties and genuinely represent the students,” he said.

“Students are most aware of the ground realities and the challenges they face.”

He also said that any legislation regarding student unions should not be drafted behind closed doors.

“If the government is sincere about restoring student unions and resolving students’ issues, consultations should be held with universities, colleges and student groups from different backgrounds,” he said. “Students are most aware of the ground realities and the challenges they face.”

Malik Ihtisham said the proposed law should guarantee students’ rights to freedom of expression and representation, while also ensuring discipline, mutual respect and a peaceful academic environment.

Student unions were banned 42 years ago. According to a 2023 study by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, titled A Case for Student Unions in Pakistan by Tooba Syed, the ban was introduced in 1984 by military ruler Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and has remained in force under successive governments.

The study states that the ban was aimed at curbing student political activism and suppressing resistance to dictatorship and anti-democratic policies. It also highlights the historic role of student movements in shaping Pakistan’s political landscape, particularly during the anti-Ayub Khan movement of the late 1960s.

Haseeb Khattak Baghl, president of the district chapter of the Insaf Students Federation in Peshawar, says the Higher Education Department has constituted a committee on student unions chaired by Musharraf Afridi, with representatives from various political parties included.

He says the committee has held several meetings with Higher Education Minister Meena Khan Afridi, officials from the Law Department and the Higher Education Department to develop an effective and agreed framework for restoring student unions.

Haseeb Khattak says the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government strongly supports the restoration of student unions. He has urged the federal government and other political parties to back the initiative nationwide.

“After the ban on student unions, a large number of young people became isolated from healthy youth activities,” he said. “Today, many of the youth are moving in the wrong direction. It is essential to bring students back to constructive and democratic activities.”

He added that young people represented the future leadership of the country and should be provided with opportunities to contribute positively to the society and the state.

The writer is a multimedia producer and tweets at @daudpasaney.