Karachi University protests intensify over exams, fees and financial disputes

KARACHI: Separate but overlapping protests at the University of Karachi intensified on Monday as students, teachers, officers and other employees demonstrated against cancelled examinations, higher fees and what they described as a worsening financial and administrative crisis at the institution.

Student protests were organised by Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba and a student alliance. Demonstrators first held a protest and later marched from Terminal Point to Pharmacy Chowk, chanting slogans against university policies and repeated disruptions to academic activity.

Participants said students who travel long distances and prepare for examinations were repeatedly facing postponements or boycotts, creating uncertainty that was affecting their studies and mental well-being. They also complained that despite paying high fees, basic campus facilities remained insufficient. The protesters further said continuing disputes between the faculty and the administration were directly affecting students' academic progress and urged both sides to settle their issues without delay.

During the protest, participants accused the administration of "turning education into a joke," saying the repeated disruption of examinations had caused academic loss for students.

Separate demonstration outside administration block

In a separate protest that marked the 25th day of an ongoing movement at the university, a large number of teachers, officers, employees and students gathered outside the Administration Block before holding a demonstration and march.

The participants raised slogans against what they called financial mismanagement, administrative inefficiency and the collapse of the academic environment at the university. Speakers at the protest said several financial matters had remained unresolved for a long period, including house ceiling, arrears, evening programme dues, examination payments, leave encashment, supervisor fees and dues of retired employees.

They accused the administration of using delaying tactics, exerting pressure and showing little seriousness in addressing long-pending financial issues. The protesters said it was deeply troubling that a leading educational institution had reached a stage where teachers, staff and students were all compelled to protest in the streets while, according to them, the authorities were avoiding meaningful steps.

The demonstrations reflected broadening unrest on campus, with different stakeholder groups voicing grievances over both academic disruption and unresolved financial matters at one of the city’s major public universities.