ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Vice-Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) to take measures to avoid harassment and racial profiling of Baloch students at the University Campuses.
The president passed these directions after hearing the grievances of Baloch students in compliance with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order dated 8th April 2022, passed in Writ Petition No. 794 of 2022 asking the President/Chancellor QAU to ensure that the issues of Balochistan students regarding ethnic profiling are probed and a reported is submitted by the Court.
While directing the HEC to issue necessary instructions to all the Federal Universities to take necessary measures to avoid any incident of harassment and racial profiling at their Campuses, the president said that the Country faced a unique situation and the resurgence of terrorists activities was a cause of concern.
The president added that counter-terrorism efforts are essential to our peace and existence but they must be carried out with utmost care and balance so as to not isolate or profile any segment of our population, particularly the students of Balochistan.
The president also directed the Vice-Chancellor QAU that in the case of students of Balochistan there is a general sense of deprivation or isolation; therefore, it is incumbent on all educational institutions to take more care to address such sentiments.
Dr. Arif Alvi also said that a proactive program of activities and debates within the student community should be developed to address feelings of deprivation among Baloch students.
