The President has requested that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) address student harassment and racism at Quaid-i-Azam University.

Dr. Arif Alvi has recommended that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Vice-Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) take action to combat student harassment and racial profiling on Balochistan campuses.
The president’s action came on Friday, after he heard the Balochi students’ plea against ethnic profiling in a written petition in accordance with an order issued by the Islamabad High Court on April 8, 2022. The petition requests that the president/chancellor of QAU take action against harassment and racism. A report was also presented to the court.

The court proceedings were held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, where QAU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr. Muhammad Ali, Additional Secretary Ministry of Interior Muhammad Ayub Chaudhary, and Advocate Imaan Zainab Hazir were present.

The president used the occasion to discuss how terrorism has returned in Pakistan, which is reason for concern. He stated that counter-terrorism operations are critical for peace and stability, but they must be carried out with extreme caution so that no portion of the Pakistani society, particularly Balochi students, gets isolated or profiled.

He also advised the VC QAU that there was a widespread sense of deprivation and isolation among Balochi students, which should be addressed with greater sensitivity. He suggested that a proactive schedule of events and discussions be established among students so that they may discuss any impediments or concerns that may arise on campus.