Karachi: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking the holding of student union elections at the University of Karachi, ruling that the matter fell outside the court’s jurisdiction at this stage.
The petition had urged the court to direct the university administration to conduct student union elections, arguing that the prolonged absence of representative bodies had deprived students of their democratic rights. The petitioner maintained that student unions were essential for addressing academic and administrative issues faced by students.
During the hearing, the court observed that policy decisions regarding student unions involved broader considerations and were primarily the responsibility of the government and relevant educational authorities. The bench noted that the judiciary could not issue directives on matters that required legislative or executive action.
The court further stated that previous bans and regulatory frameworks governing student unions could not be bypassed through judicial intervention alone. It added that any change in the status of student unions would need to come through appropriate policymaking channels.
Following the dismissal of the plea, student representatives expressed disappointment over the decision, while university officials reiterated their stance that they were bound to act in accordance with prevailing laws and government policies.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.