Hearing a set of two identical petitions challenging the decades-long ban on student unions in educational institutions- a restriction often blamed for the leadership crisis in the country’s political landscape, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday issued notices to the federal government and other respondents to submit their reply over the matter, and adjourned further proceedings for indefinite period.

The petitions were heard by a six-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Amin ud Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan.

The petitions were filed by Hamza Muhammad Khawaja, a student leader from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), and Muhammad Usama Amir, General Secretary, Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) Pakistan, under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.

The petitioners have urged the apex court to revisit the 1993 verdict banning student politics under the pretext of curbing campus violence. Federation of Pakistan through Secretary Federal Education and Professional Training Islamabad and Secretary, Ministry of Interior and others have been made respondents in the petition.

During the preliminary hearing of the petitions, the court noted that the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad had announced schedule for holding elections of the student union, and it can be a role model for rest of the country’s universities.

The judges, however, expressed dismay over indulging of professional associations in the active politics. Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi observed that student unions introduced violence in the universities. He said student unions are for welfare of student and not for politics.

Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that political culture in our country has generally become aggressive. Justice Amin ud Din remarked that students unions are nurseries for future politicians.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail observed that politics has infiltrated bar elections, and political parties have created their wings in the educational institutions.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted that in Karachi University, political parties have active wings. Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi noted that student unions in Karachi University led to violence, which resulted in Rangers being stationed there for 35 years.

Without quoting the name of Imran Khan, Justice Hasan Akhter Rizvi recalled that a former prime minister was once abducted from Punjab University by a student group, and later rescued by the other students.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar emphasized that the purpose of student unions is not politics but the welfare of students. Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that ‘Let the children study, why are we involving them in politics? ‘Student unions are nurseries where future leaders are nurtured to eventually take charge of the country’, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan observed.

The ban on student unions was legitimised by the Supreme Court in 1993, wherein it had prohibited student groups from affiliating with mainstream parties and barred students from holding positions in university statutory bodies, which would have allowed them to participate in policymaking alongside the university administration.