SA to CM pushes for swift student union elections during DUHS visit

Shahani highlights digital rights, vows continued engagement with youth across Sindh

KARACHI: In an effort to directly connect with students and address their pressing concerns, Special Assistant (SA) to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Student Affairs, Mansoor Ali Shahani, visited Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) on May 26. Speaking at a seminar, Shahani urged vice-chancellors of universities across Sindh to expedite the long-awaited student union elections.

The seminar, titled “Students’ Issues and the Bill of Digital Rights”, was organised by the provincial Student Affairs Department and attended by DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Jahan Ara Hassan, senior faculty members, and a large number of students, as per an official handout.

“Vice-chancellors must act without delay to draft election policies and hold student union elections,” Shahani asserted in his keynote speech, adding that the Student Union Bill has already been passed by the Sindh Assembly, removing any legislative hurdles to implementation.

Empowering students

Shahani highlighted that, for the first time in Sindh’s history, a dedicated Department of Student Affairs has been established — an initiative guided by the vision of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

“This department exists to give students a formal platform to voice their concerns,” he said. “With over half of Pakistan’s population made up of young people, their challenges must be addressed as a national priority.”

Turning to issues of connectivity and digital rights, Shahani underscored the urgent need for reliable, high-speed internet. He noted with concern that many students are still reliant on outdated 3G services while the rest of the world is rapidly transitioning to 5G.

“Slow internet isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a major obstacle,” he said. “It hinders online learning and limits opportunities for students earning through digital platforms.”

Students speak out

During an open Q&A session, students raised a range of issues, including poor internet access, limited library facilities, and the rising costs of admissions and transportation. Shahani assured them their concerns would be promptly escalated and addressed.

“The government will continue visiting major universities across Sindh,” he said, “to ensure student voices are not only acknowledged but acted upon."

The official statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the Sindh government’s commitment to resolving student issues and improving academic conditions across the province.

IV News Desk

Photos courtesy: Sindh Information department

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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