Students of Karakoram International University in Gilgit Baltistan are protesting due to sudden hike in fees.
Students of Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan, staged protests, took out rallies and raised slogans against the free hike, on Monday. A huge number of 6th and 7th semester students of BS boycotted classes and took out a rally from University to Duniya Chowk after the hike of 6-7 thousand rupees in the fee. Students held placards with slogans against the fee hike.
According to protesters, an increase of 50% in the fee, with no prior notice is unjustified. Middle class families cannot afford such heavy amount of fees. Karakoram board was outdated, which was put on to the students. University should take measures in resolving the board, instead of putting the burden on students, they said.
A student told while talking to local media, that fees was already 27 thousands, which hiked up to 35 thousands. Increase in fees is a kind of Education hostility policy.
Children of mediocre families study in the institute not the children of Prime Minister or Chief Minister. If the decision is not reverted, a rally will be taken out to Chief Minister House and protests will be carried on.
The students have blamed the authorities for their atrocities and alleged that the varsity's Vice-Chancellor has himself threatened them of cancelling their admission if they continue with the protest
"We were told that according to the 2011 scheme, we will not be charged the fees. Now after the admission, they are asking for money which is very difficult for us to pay," said a student who was protest.
A handful of students even went to see Pakistan President Arif Alvi, where they were promised subsidies and grants as a solution to their issue. However, they were disillusioned and none of the promises was fulfilled.
Instead of addressing the concerns of the students, authorities have been giving false hopes to them that have resulted in this outburst.
For now, there seems no ray of hope for students as they feel cheated by the authorities who are trying to convert education, a basic human right, into a luxury.
Instead of addressing the concerns of the students, authorities have been giving false hopes to them that have resulted in this outburst.
For now, there seems no ray of hope for students as they feel cheated by the authorities who are trying to convert education, a basic human right, into a luxury
