Report: Farhan Tariq
Following the suspension of mobile internet services in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on the night of June 5–6, 2024, and the declaration of the JAAC (Joint Awami Action Committee) as an outlawed organization, allegations have emerged suggesting that the stage is being set for a crackdown and security operations in the region. Questions have also been raised regarding the closure of educational institutions and their subsequent use for other purposes.
According to students, educational activities have been severely disrupted due to the closure of schools, colleges, and universities across various parts of the region, including the Rawalakot district. Students state that Poonch University and several other educational institutions in Rawalakot remain closed; meanwhile, the regional Ministry of Information and the government’s propaganda cell are claiming that educational institutions in Poonch are open.
We reached out to students at Poonch University to learn about the current state of education.
Osama Nawaz, a final-semester student in the Department of Education at Poonch University, stated that academic activities at the university have been suspended for the past five months. According to him, the presence of the Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC), and police in Rawalakot city has disrupted daily life and created challenges regarding student accommodation. Furthermore, students are facing difficulties because some educational buildings are currently being occupied and utilized by security personnel. Osama Nawaz stated that the administration of the University of Poonch recently issued a notification directing students—specifically those in their final semester—to travel to Islamabad to complete their internships and research activities.
Reacting to this decision, he noted that students are already engaged in a struggle to secure a better education and their fundamental rights. According to him, this struggle has come at a heavy cost: some students have lost their lives, many remain imprisoned, and legal cases have been filed against thousands of others.
Rejecting the university administration’s approach, Osama Nawaz asserted that the students would not accept such decisions. He urged students at the University of Poonch and other educational institutions not to forget the sacrifices made by their peers.
He affirmed that students would continue their struggle for their rights and education, expressing confidence that they would ultimately succeed.
A female student at the university, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared that she had enrolled in the Pharm-D program this year; however, due to the university’s closure over the past four to five months, she has been unable to continue her studies.
She remarked that in an era where the world has become a “global village” and education is recognized as the cornerstone of progress, the prolonged closure of educational institutions is jeopardizing the futures of thousands of students. She explained that the disruption in the academic process not only hinders the completion of the curriculum but also limits opportunities for students to apply their acquired knowledge in practical, real-world settings.
She appealed to the relevant authorities to address the issue of the university’s closure with the seriousness it deserves—keeping the students’ futures in mind—and to ensure that they are provided with the opportunity to continue their education. Meanwhile, Faryal Khalid, a student in the Department of Physics, also expressed concern over the university’s continued closure. She noted that she had enrolled in the public university this year, but her education is now suffering due to the suspension of academic activities over the past four to five months.
The students state that this prolonged interruption to academic activities is a cause for concern regarding their valuable time and their educational future. They have urged the relevant authorities to take effective measures to reopen educational institutions and resume the teaching process.
***
Share this content:
