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Shortly after an unanimous vote of confidence, the new Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani announced that the ban on trade and student unions has been lifted, as part of an impressive and perhaps idealistic 100-day relief plan.
The lifting of the ban on student unions is both good, and bad. For people like me, it is a welcome step, as it will allow more young and educated people to participate in the political process, which will help create awareness and allow fresh blood to enter into the stale political arena, which has been habituated by the same faces for the past 20 years or so. As is evident by the tremendous support and participation of students in the anti-emergency protests in November till current date, students do want to be part of the political process and make their voice heard. In a country where 45% of the population comprises of the youth, it is a shame that students are not given the chance to consider politics as a career, which then results in many a corrupt leader returning to power.
A few months ago, I spoke to Amir Haider Kazmi, whose student faction the National Students Federation-Kazmi group was one of the most powerful in the 1960s, and played an instrumental role in the protests that resulted in President Ayub Khan's resignation. He was disillusioned by the state of affairs, especially due to the ban on student unions, imposed by General Zia-ul-Haq . According to him, there were no avenues available for Pakistani students to meet, and to be allowed to gather on one platform to express their views, or even exchange their ideas.
However, for many, the return of student unions may not be an easy step to digest. The presence of political factions on various public universities' campuses have already caused much trouble and disruption in the academic sessions, even resulting in the loss of life. Rivalries between various student unions, now accorded legal status, may result in more violence in universities like Karachi University, which has seen its campus being home to many a gunbattle.
But for now, let optimism prevail. We have only just come out of nine years of a one-man show starring President Musharraf. Let the voice of the people, and especially the youth be heard now.
