By Revolutionary Students Front – RSF
For over four decades, student unions have been banned in Pakistan, silencing a crucial platform for youth representation, activism, and democratic engagement. The ban, imposed during the military dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq in 1984, has been maintained by successive governments, restricting students from organizing for their rights. On February 9, 2025, students across Pakistan mobilized in multiple cities—Peshawar, Lahore, Multan, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Rahim Yar Khan, and more—to demand the restoration of student unions. Through protests, study circles, and conferences, they challenged the continued suppression of student politics and called for immediate union elections to reclaim their democratic space.
On February 9, 2025, student organizations across Pakistan mobilized to demand the restoration of student unions. Events, including study circles, conferences, rallies, and protests, were held in various cities under the banners of the Revolutionary Students Front (RSF) and other student alliances. Participants highlighted the critical role of student unions in democratic engagement and voiced strong opposition to the decades-long ban.
Peshawar
A “Restore Student Unions” conference was held at Peshawar Press Club, organized by RSF. The event was chaired by Sahil Bacha (Chairman, RSF Peshawar University), with Namus Khan (RSF Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leader) as stage secretary. Key speakers included: Awais Qarni (RSF Central Organizer), Iqbal Lala (Father of Mashal Khan Shaheed), Dr. Sarfaraz Khan (President, National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Jamila Gilani (Former MNA & Leader, National Democratic Movement) and Ghufran Ahad Advocate (Senior Vice President, Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign).
The event opened with a recitation of Ajmal Khattak’s revolutionary poetry. Student leaders from various organizations, including the Pakhtunkhwa Students Organization, People’s Students Federation, Domel Wazir Students Society, Gilgit-Baltistan Students Organization, and Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation, participated. Among them Islamuddin (RSF Peshawar organizer), Tariq Shah (General Secretary Pakhtunkhwa Students Organization Peshawar University), Hafzanullah (President Islamia College People’s Students Federation), Zia ur Rehman (President Domel Wazir Students Society Peshawar University), Nawazish Ali (Vice Chairman RSF Peshawar University), Khaliq Diamiri (Organizer RSF Khyber Medical University), Abid from Gilgit-Baltistan Students Organization, and Comrade Hanan (City Chairman Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation Rawalakot) spoke and strongly criticized the hypocrisy of Zia’s dictatorship and subsequent so-called democratic governments for maintaining the ban on student unions. They demanded the immediate announcement of union election schedules. Former student leaders discussed the history and importance of student unions and politics, appreciating the youth for organizing this conference. Student leaders from various institutions vowed to hold similar events on a larger scale in the future.
At the end of the event, Chairman Sahil Bacha read a resolution outlining students’ demands, which was unanimously approved by the participants. The program concluded with the singing of the international workers’ anthem, followed by a protest rally demanding the restoration of student unions and the announcement of election schedules.
Punjab University, Lahore
RSF organized a protest rally from Lal Building to Mirpurkhas Press Club. Students from various institutions participated, demanding the restoration of student unions and the announcement of an election schedule. Key demands included: Formation of anti-harassment committees in schools, colleges, and universities and an end to delays in establishing a medical college in Mirpurkhas and immediate action for its implementation.
Following the rally, a study circle was held at Mirpurkhas Press Club Park, where participants discussed the importance of student politics and the ongoing struggle for union restoration.
Multan
RSF Multan held a study circle at Gol Bagh, Gulgasht Colony, on the topic “The Importance of Student Politics and the Struggle for Restoring Student Unions.” Speakers included: Comrade Nadeem Pasha Advocate, Zeeshan Butt, Asad Khan Lund, Fareed Sasoli, Comrade Sarmad, Dr. Abdul Shakoor, Asim Khan Advocate, Nadeem Qureshi Advocate, Shahzaib Khan, Aslam Ansari, Tariq Chaudhry and Haris Azhar. Students discussed the need for unions as a democratic platform and criticized successive governments for continuing the ban. The event concluded with a protest demonstration.
Rahim Yar Khan
A protest for student union restoration was organized in front of Rahim Yar Khan Press Club by the Joint Students Action Committee, RSF, and People’s Students Federation. Students from various institutions participated, demanding: Immediate restoration of student unions and election schedule announcement and Formation of anti-harassment committees in educational institutions. Speakers highlighted the historical role of student unions in democratic movements and criticized successive governments for restricting student activism.
Hyderabad
RSF held a study circle in Hyderabad, where students engaged in a detailed discussion on the importance of student politics and the need to restore student unions. Participants expressed their commitment to continuing the struggle for student rights.
Bhan Syedabad
A study circle on student union restoration was organized by RSF in Bhan Syedabad. Participants, including student activists and local leaders, discussed the historical significance of unions and their role in democratic engagement.
Lahore
At the Jalib Jamhoori Mela in Lahore, Mujeeb Akbar, Deputy Secretary General of the Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation, along with other progressive students’ organizations participated in the session titled “The Thought of Habib Jalib and Today’s Youth.”. A bookstall by The Sturggle Publications attracted interest from attendees, while activists distributed the Revolutionary Students Front leaflet titled “Restore Student Unions.”
The February 9 activities across Pakistan demonstrated a growing student movement demanding the revival of unions. From Lahore to Peshawar, Mirpurkhas to Rahim Yar Khan, students voiced their frustration over decades of suppression. They criticized the hypocrisy of past governments, which maintained the ban while claiming to uphold democracy.
These events also highlighted the urgent need for anti-harassment committees, greater student representation, and an end to delays in educational projects such as the Mirpurkhas Medical College. The call for immediate union elections remains a central demand.
The movement for student union restoration continues to gain momentum, with upcoming study circles and protests planned in various universities. As student activism resurfaces, it poses a critical challenge to the forces that have sought to depoliticize campuses for decades.
