ISLAMABAD: In the early hours of Tuesday, Islamabad police arrested over 50 students of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) during a raid on the university’s hostels, following a request by the university administration for assistance in vacating campus residences.
The operation, which took place before dawn, resulted in the arrest of around 55 to 60 students who were later moved to the Secretariat Police Station.
The university administration stated that the action was taken to facilitate long-overdue maintenance work scheduled during the summer vacation period. According to QAU officials, students had been instructed to vacate the hostels by July 13.
While the majority had complied, several students continued to occupy hostels 6, 8, 9, and 11 despite repeated notices and extensions. Eventually, the administration sought police support to enforce the eviction orders.
The Islamabad police confirmed their involvement, describing their role as providing “legal assistance” in response to the university’s written request.
The force stated that out of the university’s 11 hostels, most had already been vacated peacefully, but resistance was faced in four hostels, where students allegedly continued to stay without authorization.
Those who resisted were removed, and police said legal proceedings would follow as per university directives.
The situation escalated further when human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, who arrived at the Secretariat Police Station to support the detained students, claimed that the number of arrests had reached at least 72. Speaking to newsmen, she announced plans to meet with the university’s vice chancellor in hopes of reaching a peaceful resolution.
Amid the mounting tensions, protesting students locked the Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat. The university administration confirmed that the VC’s office had been closed in light of the ongoing demonstrations.
This incident highlights recurring tensions between QAU students and the university’s administration. In recent years, disputes over hostel accommodations, fee hikes, and alleged mismanagement have triggered multiple protests on campus.
Students, often from distant areas, rely on university housing due to limited affordable alternatives in Islamabad. Critics argue that the abrupt eviction process during summer break, coupled with police intervention, reflects a lack of dialogue and trust between authorities and the student body.
With legal action pending and negotiations underway, the situation at QAU remains tense. Students and rights activists have demanded the immediate release of detainees and a transparent process for resolving the underlying issues surrounding campus housing and student welfare.
