ISLAMABAD: Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) has officially cancelled its summer semester for 2025 due to prolonged student protests and serious financial issues. The decision was taken unanimously in a meeting attended by the university’s deans, department heads, and directors.
In a press release, the university said it was not possible to hold a proper academic session after more than six weeks of disruptions. The protests were led by groups known as “illegal ethnic councils,” which are banned under Pakistani law.
“With less than five weeks remaining, it is not possible to run an effective or meaningful semester,” the university said.
Instead of holding classes, QAU has announced a summer break from July 9 to August 31. Students have been told to vacate hostels by July 13. The administration expressed serious concern over the declining academic environment, falling admissions, and increasing influence of unauthorized student groups.
— ALSO READ —
Punjab to outsource govt schools if results don’t improve: minister
Acting Vice Chancellor and Dean of Social Sciences, Dr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, said the law requires summer semesters to last 6 to 8 weeks. “With exam results due in the third week of July, how can we break the rules just to benefit students who failed?” he asked.
He added that earlier this year, a six-week shutdown caused by illegal protests badly affected coursework, class registrations, and student learning. “Keeping the hostels running during this time alone would cost around Rs44 million each month. This is too much pressure on our limited resources,” he said.
Dr Mazhar Iqbal, President of the Academic Staff Association, also supported the move. He said it was necessary to fix the academic calendar and bring back discipline. “The spring semester was already delayed. Skipping summer classes gives us time to maintain hostels and prepare properly for the fall semester,” he explained.
Dr Iqbal criticized weak enforcement of university rules. He said many students were allowed to sit in exams despite not meeting attendance or fee requirements.
“There’s no check on who enters or exits the campus. The number of theft cases in hostels and faculty homes is also rising,” he added.
Dr Iqbal also highlighted the serious financial problems QAU is facing. He said electricity bills from 180 hostel air-conditioners running 24/7 during the summer, lack of research funding, unpaid salaries, and retirement dues for 127 former employees have brought the university to a critical point.
— ALSO READ —
Quaid-e-Azam University, NUST among QS top 400 worldwide
According to a provost’s report, the university loses over Rs44 million monthly in hostel expenses during semesters and Rs64 million during vacations — resulting in yearly losses of more than Rs572 million.
Dr Jaspal strongly condemned repeated disruptions caused by student groups, including loud music during class hours. “QAU has been closed five times in just two years. This kind of instability is pushing away serious students and harming our reputation,” he said.
Both Dr Jaspal and Dr Iqbal stressed the need for immediate reforms. They said discipline must be enforced, a full financial audit is required, and hostel and transport services might need to be outsourced.
Dr Iqbal also suggested stricter checks on student-faculty ratios and tighter control over campus entry. “The future of QAU depends on our commitment to academic honesty, financial discipline, and following the law,” Dr Jaspal said.
CDA to repair and beautify pedestrian bridges across Islamabad
