QAU Summer Session Row: IHC Reserves Verdict on Students’ Petition Against Hostel Eviction and Session Cancellation Islamabad

Reported by Muhammad Ibrahim Abbasi

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by students of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) challenging the university administration’s decision to cancel the summer session and forcefully vacate hostels.

The case was heard by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, who presided over a detailed hearing. Students appeared in court alongside their legal counsel, while university officials, including the registrar, were also present upon court summons.

Counsel for the students argued that the summer session is academically critical, especially for those looking to improve their grades. He stated that the university had already charged students for the summer term, making the cancellation both unfair and disruptive.

On the other side, the university registrar told the court that 1,138 students were illegally residing in hostels, and many had failed to pay their dues, amounting to millions of rupees. He further alleged that the hostel premises were no longer livable, citing past incidents of violence and arson, and controversially claimed that "most of the people staying in the hostels are spies."

These statements drew a sharp reaction from Justice Soomro, who remarked:

"Let the students study in peace. It doesn’t look good when police are seen putting handcuffs on them.”

He further questioned the university's approach, saying: “You are like parents to these students — is this how parents treat their children?”

The judge also raised legal concerns over FIRs filed against students, stating:

"There is a Supreme Court judgment — once a student is booked, it can permanently damage their future career prospects."

The university's legal team argued that maintaining order on campus was a priority and that protests often spiraled beyond control. They maintained that the FIRs were filed under compulsion and that there wasn’t enough time left in the summer session, which spans only two months.

The students' counsel rebutted, saying: “The university had made a similar late announcement last year on July 22, yet the session was held. This year, summer fees have already been collected from students."

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro reserved the verdict, which is expected to be announced in the coming days.