Students at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) are staging a protest against the university’s decision to cancel 4,500 hostel seats. The students are demanding the withdrawal of the notice to vacate the hostels and the removal of the Vice President from his position.
The Student Action Committee President, Ahmed Abdullah, held a press conference where he stated that all student organizations at IIU are participating in the protest. He emphasized the university’s reputation and the importance of its role in building society.
“The International Islamic University had a name, a prestige,” Abdullah said. “A university builds and creates a society. There is an administrative crisis here. Students, drivers, administrative staff, everyone is being forced by a few black sheep. The reputation of the university is being tarnished because of them.”
He highlighted that approximately 5,000 students reside in the university hostels, and the university was renowned for its hostel facilities, classrooms, and bus services.
Abdullah accused some individuals, who were previously dismissed, of continuing to influence university decisions. He cited the reinstatement of a former Colonel as Provost as an example. He also pointed out that students from remote areas come to the university for education.
He criticized the university administration for ordering students to vacate their hostels within 12 hours of Eid al-Adha, using force and leaving students stranded on the streets. He mentioned that police were called to deal with a few students, with numbers reaching 500-600.
“We want to resolve our demands peacefully and through the constitution,” Abdullah said. “We have paid our hostel fees, but we are not allowed to enter the university.”
He highlighted the lack of internet and other facilities for students, and the decision to shift summer break classes online despite students being at home. He condemned the short notice given for hostel evacuation, with the administration threatening to confiscate belongings if the hostels were not vacated within two days.
“We know how to claim our rights,” Abdullah asserted. “We have presented a one-point agenda demanding our rights.”
He lamented the Vice President’s refusal to meet with students, with guards preventing them from approaching him. He also accused the administration of claiming helplessness and alleging political activity and weapon storage in the hostels.
“The Provost is responsible for all our belongings,” Abdullah stated. “If our belongings are touched, we will break their hands. Our first demand is the withdrawal of the notice, and our second demand is the removal of the Vice President.”
