University of Karachi marks 66 years since relocation


IV Report

KARACHI: The University of Karachi (KU) kicked off the new year with a grand ceremony, marking 66 years since its relocation to its current campus. The event, held at the Silver Jubilee Gate, brought together faculty members, students, administrative officers, and distinguished guests to celebrate the university's rich history and academic achievements.

On January 18, 1960, KU was shifted from the premises on Princess Street (now Chand Bibi Road) to University Road, formerly known as Country Club Road. The then vice-chancellor, Bashir Ahmed Hashmi had invited 30 Huffaz-e-Karam to lead a procession of students and teachers, starting from the main entrance of the new campus to the Convocation ground where the new administration building of the university is now located, while reciting chapters of the Holy Quran.

The latest ceremony began with a rally led by Huffaz reciting verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem and speeches highlighting KU's accomplishments. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid M Iraqi emphasised the importance of education in a country's progress, quoting Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's words on education being a matter of life and death.

Dr Iraqi lamented that investment in education is often seen as a burden in Pakistan, whereas nations that prioritize education have achieved innovation and invention. He congratulated parents for supporting their children's higher education despite financial challenges.

Former State Bank of Pakistan governor, Dr Ishrat Hussain, stressed that countries unable to provide education to their youth can never progress. He noted that India and Bangladesh, once behind Pakistan, have surpassed it in higher education enrollment rates, with 33% compared to Pakistan's 10-11%.

Dr Hussain advised students to avoid shortcuts and rote learning, emphasising that knowledge must be retained and applied to be valuable. Other dignitaries, including President of Unikarians International Professor Ejaz Ahmed Faruqi and KU Teachers Association President Dr Mohsin Ali, also shared their insights.

The ceremony concluded with separate sessions for the fresh batch of 2025 students, marking the beginning of their academic journey at KU. As one of Pakistan's largest universities, with over 40,000 students and 60 teaching departments, KU continues to play a vital role in shaping the country's future generations, students were told.


With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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