The administration of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan has expelled 13 students who are members of the Pakhtun Students Federation, in what is being termed as a clampdown on student activism on the campus.
The notification was issued on Tuesday, and stated that the expelled students would be barred from entry into the university campus, and would be ineligible to enroll in any AWKUM program in the future.
Strongly condemn the UDC's decision of AWKUM administration against PSF responsibles in order to suppress the strong voice to their maladministration.PSF won't tolerate such a dictatorial response towards students & demands immediate revert of the decision.#PSFPakhtunkhwa pic.twitter.com/4XVPjXGyJR
— Achak Khan (@Achakkhan_) May 10, 2022
Following this development, the hashtag #RestoreAWKUMStudents began circulating on Twitter, with people condemning the university’s administration for its random and baseless expulsion of students for no reason.
The student are demanding for their basic right.we stand with PSF Abdul wali khan university students#RestoreAWKUMStudents pic.twitter.com/1B5LhPWf1Q
— yasin kakar (P.S.F (@kakar_yasin) May 11, 2022
The PSF issued a statement via Twitter, saying that the struggle for the rights of students is a national duty. “PSF members cannot be intimidated by such clever tactics,” they said.
پی ایس ایف ذمہ داران کو بلاوجہ یونیورسٹی سے نکالنا قابل مذمت ہے۔طلبہ و طالبات کے حقوق کیلئے جدوجہد قومی فریضہ ہے۔ایسے اوچھے ہتھکنڈوں سے پی ایس ایف کے اراکین کو نہیں ڈرایا جاسکتا۔انتظامیہ ہوش کے ناخن لیں اور اپنے فیصلے پر نظرثانی کرے #RestoreAWKUMStudents pic.twitter.com/SfXAQY0f3s
— Pakhtun Students Federation (@PSFMarkaz) May 10, 2022
The organization also said that they would be running a campaign tonight from 9 PM to 12 PM, protesting the expulsion and eviction of the students.
عبدالولی خان یونیورسٹی مردان میں پی ایس ایف اراکین کی بے دخلی، نکالنے کے خلاف پی ایس ایف آج رات 9 بجے سے 12بجے تک ٹرینڈ چلائے گی۔ تمام اراکین سے اس ظلم کے خلاف آواز اٹھانے کی اپیل کی جاتی ہے۔
حسن خان کاکڑ
سیکرٹری سوشل میڈیا پختون سٹوڈنٹس فیڈریشن#RestoreAWKUMStudents pic.twitter.com/kLhudv7rBa— Pakhtun Students Federation (@PSFMarkaz) May 11, 2022
The Awami National Party (ANP)’s Secretary of Youth Affairs, Sana Gulzar appealed to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to ask them to cease the interference in the lives of the students, otherwise the situation would escalate.
We strongly ask the current kp govt to stop interfering in the matters of students and let them continue with their affairs or this will further escalate issues.#RestoreAWKUMStudents
— Sana Gulzar (@sannagulzar) May 11, 2022
The central deputy general secretary of the PSF wrote about how the organization has been struggling for a political, secular, democratic, and gender balanced campus.
PSF is struggling for a Political, Secular, Democratic, Plural and Gender balanced Campus based on Non Violence.🚩#RestoreAWKUMStudents pic.twitter.com/fe0zVfKrGh
— Syed Hashmi (@syedhashmi01) May 11, 2022
Other users demanded that the administration reconsider its decision to expel the students.
The UDC's decision against the Pakhtun Students Federation is completely unilateral. No one will be allowed to play with the future of the students, we demand that the administration reconsider this decision.#RestoreAWKUMStudents pic.twitter.com/nsayd8a3X9
— Malak Suhail (@malak_suhail) May 11, 2022
Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan Administration Resolve the legitimate demands of the students.#RestoreAWKUMStudents #PSFaup pic.twitter.com/PUteVM4Ql4
— Umair Arbab (@UmairArbab8) May 11, 2022
The student are demanding for their basic right.we stand with PSF Abdul wali khan university students#RestoreAWKUMStudents pic.twitter.com/1B5LhPWf1Q
— yasin kakar (P.S.F (@kakar_yasin) May 11, 2022
Student problems should be solved and expelled students should be rehabilitated. #RestoreAWKUMStudents
— Habib Zaman Khan (@HZKhan47) May 11, 2022
There were also questions being raised at why students from a particular ethnicity were being depoliticised.
Why are Universities in Pakhtunkhwa excessively militarized and being privatized? Why are Students Unions banned? Why are students depoliticized? Administrations of Universities must provide congenial environment instead of snatching right to education.#RestoreAWKUMStudents
— Khadim Hussain (@Khadimhussain4) May 11, 2022
Why Jamat-e-Islami's militant wing always safe in universities and Pashtun Students Federation is not? 🤔#RestoreAWKUMStudents
— Umar Wazir (@Umar_Wazir1) May 11, 2022
Every young person has the right to speak up for their rights. #BachaKhanBaba Followers have raised their voices before and will continue to do so, God willing. Every conscious youth should raise his voice.#RestoreAWKUMStudents
— Dr_Nabeela (@Dr_Nabella) May 11, 2022
#RestoreAWKUMStudents We strongly condem such type of decision which is based on politicial basis.Restore students and make a policy whivh encourage students and make comfort situation in University.#RestoreAWKUMStudents
— afsar afghan (@afsarafghan14) May 11, 2022
Three years ago Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan became the site of a horrific incident, when political activist and student Mashal Khan was lynched by an angry mob on the university premises, on fake blasphemy charges.
