June 6, 2024
Staff Report
PESHAWAR:
The University of Malakand students, along with members of Mafkoora, an organization dedicated to promoting art and critical thinking, held protests in Malakand and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the death of Musa Khan, a student from the university’s journalism department. The demonstrators blamed the university administration for Musa’s death, demanding the dismissal of the provost, chief proctor, deputy chief proctor, and other officials involved.
The protests erupted after Musa Khan died in a motorcycle accident, which occurred shortly after he and two other students – Ashraf Ali, and Waqas Khan – were issued a show-cause notice for playing musical instrument rabab on the campus.
On May 29, the university administration issued the show-cause notice, and the provost banned the three students from entering the hostel.
The accident took place at Chakdara Chowk in the Malakand city, where Musa and his friends collided with a vehicle while riding a motorcycle. All three students were injured, with Musa suffering critical injuries. He was transferred to a hospital in Peshawar, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Speakers at the protests accused the university administration for causing mental stress to Musa, which led to the fatal accident. The protestors demanded that recreational activities, including music sessions, be permitted alongside academic activities at the university. They also called for a judicial inquiry into the actions of the university officials involved.
In a recent session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly, Speaker Babar Saleem ordered the suspension of the provost and chief proctor pending an investigation into the matter. He stressed that the treatment of Musa, from his transfer from Malakand to Peshawar and the subsequent medical care, must be scrutinised, and a detailed report be submitted.
The tragic incident has sparked a broader debate on campus policies and the importance of mental wellbeing for students, highlighting the need for a balanced approach in disciplinary actions and support for student activities.