Protesting for reform in education, getting charged with sedition
Students held rallies across 50 Pakistani cities seeking greater say in the running of universities On November 29, thousands of students marched in 50 cities of Pakistan for their rights. Their main demands included calls to the authorities to lift the ban on student unions, increase the education budget, provide better facilities at educational institutions and take action against people involved in sexual harassment. Student unions have been banned in Pakistan for 35 years. Taimur Rahman, an academic, musician and political activist, said student unions are nurseries for the future political leadership in a democratic society. “[They] are the practical training grounds to groom students to understand consensus building, alliance building, canvassing for votes, running for office, and holding oneself and others to accountability.” When asked why there was criticism against the march and why many universities were actively discouraging students from taking part in the march, M...