Pashtoonkhwa Students Organization Condemns Closure of Language Departments at Balochistan University, Vows to Protest Against Rent-Out of Agricultural College Building

Quetta: The Central Organizer of Pashtoonkhwa Students Organization (PSO), Saifullah Khan, strongly condemned the government’s decision to close the Pashto, Balochi, and Brahui departments at the University of Balochistan. He declared that they would not allow the agricultural college building to be rented out under any circumstances and that they reserve the constitutional and legal right to protest.

Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday, Saifullah Khan, alongside other PSO leaders including Asfandyar, Mehmood Khan, Noor Khan, and Waris Afghan, condemned the closure of mother language departments and the postponement of university exams. He emphasized that the PSO, in collaboration with other student organizations, would raise their voices against these actions on every possible platform.

Khan criticized the recent decision to postpone exams and close the university after an incident involving some students on July 2. He stated that the issue was resolved through negotiations between the leadership of Pashtoonkhwa Students Organization, Baloch Students Organization (PB), and Pashtoon Students Federation in a peaceful manner, but certain elements had attacked PSO members and injured five students. He pointed to the security lapses and the planned conspiracy behind this act, which led to the closure of hostels and the university and the postponement of exams.

“This decision raises questions about the administrative performance of the university. We will not allow anyone to disturb the peaceful academic environment,” said Khan, demanding the immediate reopening of hostels and the continuation of exams as per the scheduled dates. He also urged the restoration of academic activities to prevent further disruption to students’ time.

Saifullah Khan pointed out the growing challenges facing the university, including unpaid salaries for teachers, the cutting of allowances, the cancellation of scholarship schemes, and a massive 300% fee increase over the past five years. He also expressed outrage over the proposal to merge the Pashto, Brahui, and Balochi departments into a single department, calling it an injustice against the development of these languages and nations.

“In developed countries, mother tongues are respected and nurtured, but this step is an attack on our languages and culture,” Khan said. He further revealed that 35 M.Phil and 10 Ph.D. scholars were enrolled in the Pashto department, conducting their research, and that the closure of these departments severely undermines their academic progress.

Khan also addressed concerns over the new Agricultural College building, stating that there was an ongoing plot to rent out the newly constructed building under the guise of handing it over to New Tech. He categorically rejected this plan, labeling it as “anti-education” and pledged that they would not allow such actions to take place. The PSO vowed to continue their protests and raise their voice against these decisions at every forum.

The PSO made it clear that they will not let the situation go unchecked and will take every necessary step to safeguard the rights of students and preserve the academic integrity of the university.