AS a student of a leading academic institution in Sukkur, I am forced to say that the institute has deviated from the vision of its founder who valued merit, quality and excellence, with a strong focus on facilitating the students.

Today, the institute has become just a promotional platform for politicians.

During exam days, which are crucial in any academic calendar, the library is often closed for recording podcasts with this politician or that.

First, it was closed for one day for the chief minister when he had come for the inauguration of an academic block, and then it was closed for two days for the chairman of the provincial ruling party when he was there as the chief guest at the 11th convocation.

Is this what the founder envisioned? Is this the ‘merit, quality and excellence’ slogan the students were promised? Why is the institutional library being closed for days for political marketing? Why can they not do the recording somewhere else?

Name withheld on request
Sukkur

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2025