Pakistan government to establish code of conduct to restore student unions

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan on Sunday announced his government's plans to establish a "comprehensive and enforceable'' code of conduct for student unions to be restored throughout the South Asian country.

Khan asserted the role played by student unions in grooming the youth as potential leaders of the country. 

"Universities groom future leaders of the country & student unions form an integral part of this grooming. Unfortunately, in Pakistan universities' student unions became violent battlegrounds & completely destroyed the intellectual atmosphere on campuses," he tweeted.

According to The Dawn, Khan's reaction came after people participated in a protest called the ''Student Solidarity March'', led by the Student Action Committee (SAC) on November 29.

"We will establish a comprehensive & enforceable code of conduct, learning from the best practices in internationally renowned universities, so that we can restore & enable student unions to play their part in positively grooming our youth as future leaders of the country," Khan added.

Students, supporters and activists across the country are demanding the restoration of student unions, demilitarisation of campuses, nationalisation of educational institutions and withdrawal of the recent fee hike from several universities, amongst other demands.

The protesters are also pressing the government to reserve five per cent of the national GDP for education.

(With inputs from ANI)