PESHAWAR: The students at the University of Peshawar campus on Wednesday staged separate protests against the decision to devolve the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to the provinces.
The first protest was organised by the M Phil and PhD students. The protesters gathered outside the Student Teachers Centre (STC) and chanted slogans against the decision regarding the devolution of the HEC. They were holding placards inscribed with slogans such as “No to devolution of HEC.”

The protesting students blasted the government decision to devolve the HEC to the provinces and said that this would adversely affect the promotion of higher education. They said that being students of higher classes, they would be the directly affected by the decision.

Later in the evening, activists of the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba also staged a protest near the New Hostel at the University of Peshawar. The campus head of the organisation Mian Sahaibuddin Kakakhel, University of Peshawar Nazim Shah Zaman Durrani and others led the protesting students.

Meanwhile, the activists of the IJT also staged a protest at Islamia College University against the government decision to devolve the HEC. The protesters led by Hafizullah, later gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club and chanted slogans against the government.

Speaking on the occasion, Hafizullah termed the government’s decision as unjust. He urged the prime minister to review the decision so that students studying abroad on scholarships could continue their studies.

Our correspondent adds from Mingora: The students of Swat University on Wednesday staged a rally outside the Swat Press Club to protest the proposed devolution of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to the provinces under the 18th Amendment. Carrying banners and placards, the protesting students chanted slogans against the government’s decision to devolve the HEC.

Led by Mudassir Khan, the protesting students asked the federal government not to devolve the HEC, as it would have negative effects on higher education. The HEC, the students said, had played a significant role in the improvement of higher education over the last 10 years. They urged the government to reconsider its decision in the larger interest of students.The news