Islamabad citizens’ network condemns punitive action against QAU students, demands HEC intervention

Islamabad Citizens’ Network strongly condemns the disciplinary action taken by the administration of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU)

By Muhammad Raiyd Qazi
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Citizens’ Network strongly condemns the disciplinary action taken by the administration of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) against students following the incidents surrounding the celebration of Holi on campus. The university’s decision to impose severe penalties, including expulsions, cancellation of examination results, rustication, campus bans and substantial fines, raises serious concerns about students’ fundamental rights, freedom of cultural expression and the administration of disciplinary procedures within public universities.

According to sources, disciplinary penalties have been imposed on 14 students following the recommendations of the University Discipline Committee. These include the expulsion of one student, a five-year admission ban, cancellation of examination results, rustication and fines of Rs. 50,000 against several students.

We are particularly concerned about reports that two Sindhi students have had their admissions cancelled and have been barred from entering the university, while several others have faced semester-long suspensions, financial penalties and continued harassment in connection with the Holi celebrations. Such allegations warrant an independent and impartial examination.

Universities are institutions of learning, critical inquiry and cultural exchange. They must provide an environment in which students belonging to different ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural backgrounds can coexist and express their identities without fear of discrimination or intimidation. The peaceful celebration of cultural occasions cannot, in itself, be treated as grounds for punitive action. Any allegation of misconduct must be examined separately, on the basis of credible evidence, due process and proportionate disciplinary measures.

The administration cannot use disciplinary regulations as an instrument to suppress cultural expression or undermine the educational futures of students. The right to education, fair treatment and an opportunity to defend oneself must remain central to all university proceedings.

Islamabad Citizens’ Network calls upon the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to take immediate notice of the matter and initiate an independent inquiry into the disciplinary proceedings at Quaid-i-Azam University. The HEC must examine the proportionality of the punishments, the evidence presented against the students, the procedure followed by the University Discipline Committee and the allegations of harassment and discriminatory treatment.

We demand:

1. Immediate intervention by the HEC and an independent investigation into the disciplinary action taken against the 14 students.

2. Reinstatement of the expelled students’ admissions and restoration of their campus access, pending a fair and transparent review of their cases.

3. Withdrawal or suspension of disproportionate penalties, including semester cancellations, rustication and excessive fines, until the cases have been independently reviewed.

4. An end to all forms of harassment, intimidation and discriminatory treatment of students on the basis of their cultural or ethnic identity.

5. Transparent disciplinary procedures that guarantee students the right to a fair hearing, access to evidence and an opportunity to appeal.

6. A clear institutional commitment to protecting students’ freedom of peaceful cultural expression and ensuring equal treatment of all communities on campus.

The future of a student cannot be made collateral to arbitrary or disproportionate disciplinary decisions. Public universities are accountable not only for maintaining institutional discipline but also for protecting the rights, dignity and educational opportunities of those entrusted to them.

Islamabad Citizens’ Network stands in solidarity with the affected students and calls upon the QAU administration to reconsider its decisions. We urge the HEC to fulfil its responsibility as the regulator of higher education and ensure that justice, academic freedom and cultural diversity are protected within our universities.