ISLAMABAD: Students across Pakistan take to the streets to demand better education and freedom of association.
The protests started earlier this month in Lahore, with students calling for the restoration of their right to form unions and hold elections in colleges and universities.
On Friday morning, the movement was gaining momentum on social media, as #StudentsSolidarityMarch become the top trend on Twitter in Pakistan.
“We want the quality of education we deserve, we want it for everyone, and we want it now,” tweeted Arooj Aurangzaib, one of the student activists leading the movement.
Pakistan’s former military ruler. Gen. Zia ul-Haq, banned student unions in the early 1980s.
Free education, lifting the ban on student unions and student participation in politics, and no more budget cuts at the Higher Education Commission are the main demands of the protesters.
Rights activists, journalists and some key politicians expressed support for the marching students.
“I fully support the restoration of students unions,” tweeted Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry, adding that the ban is undemocratic.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also supported ‘Student Solidarity March.’
“The spirit of activism and yearning for peaceful democratic process from a new generation of students is truly inspiring,” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in a tweet.
