In a statement to the media, the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) asked for the removal of the ban on student unions in Balochistan, which was imposed during the Zia Martial Law on February 9, 1984.
While terming this day “A Day for Infamy”, a spokesperson addressed the media that the denial to students’ rights, including the right to form and run unions, was the “violation of the fundamental human rights and inconsistency with the principles of natural justice”, which included the rights to expression, assembly and association, while quoting international law and Pakistan’s constitutional provisions.
The spokesperson further believed that as long as the students were deprived of their rights to association and activism, “new ideas will not emerge and they will not be able to lead the nation towards enlightenment and well-being”.
While concluding his statement, the organizational spokesman reiterated their commitment to continue their activism and ensured they would not let their voices be suppressed. “We remember, resist and reclaim” were his final words.
It should be noted that Pakistan’s martial law administrator, Zia Ul Haq had imposed the ban back in 1984 which was said to be reversed in 1989 – though it had never until today. However, students are asked to sign an affidavit along with their documents during admissions across the universities of Pakistan.
