Baloch Activist Suspended From Punjab University Over Criticism Of Armed Forces

Sadia Baloch, a prominent activist from Balochistan and a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was suspended from Punjab University due to her criticism of Pakistan’s armed forces. The university claimed that Baloch’s suspension was due to her misuse of the university platform to influence students against state institutions and to damage the institution’s reputation and integrity. Baloch shared this information on X, responding to the allegations.

In a post on X, Baloch stated, “Punjab University, Lahore, has issued my suspension orders, alleging that I, as a so-called miscreant student, have used the university platform to corrupt students’ minds against state institutions and that my conduct has severely damaged the reputation and integrity of the educational institution. It is worth noting that this notice refers to a protest held two months ago and is dated June 14. However, I only received this letter on August 12, 2024, when I went to check for it. I had not been issued a charge sheet before this, making it clear that the notice was issued after Raaji Muchi’s participation, with backdated timestamps.”

She further pointed out that the derogatory language directed at her as a female Baloch student undermines the institution’s professed standards of discipline and values. Baloch views the timing of her suspension, just a week before her annual exams, as a deliberate attempt to disrupt her academic career and a serious attack on her personal and moral integrity. She has urged the university to honour its agreements with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and to rescind both, the suspension letter and the unfounded accusations.

Commenting on this issue, Baloch Siddique Azad, Secretary General of the Baloch People’s Congress, said, “It is highly regrettable and condemnable that Punjab University has expelled a talented student from Dera Ghazi Khan, Sadia Baloch, and deprived her of her right to education for attending and speaking at meetings of the Baloch Solidarity Committee in Balochistan. Such narrow-minded and biased actions by an educational institution like Punjab University reflect a colonial mentality and biased attitude that should be a source of shame for an educational institution. The Baloch People’s Congress strongly condemns this biased and anti-educational decision by Punjab University and demands a review of this unjust move.”