Background: Baloch Students have been marching for 11 days for restoration of reserve seats scholarships reserved for them by the government. Balochistan already has limited educational institutions and that’s why many student move to metropolitan cities i.e. Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad to get higher education. Reserved seats quota was initiated for students of Balochistan in numerous public universities of Punjab by the PPP-government back in 2008. These measures were taken under Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package:, which not only promised free education but also hostel accommodations. HEC terminated these seats because of budget cuts by the recent government.
What happened: Vice President PML-N, Maryam Nawaz has visited Baloch students’ protest camp in Lahore. Students shared their concern with Maryam Nawaz and requested her to urge the government to restore student quota and scholarship in universities. Maryam heavily criticized the government for negligence. She said that these students have been on the road for 12 days and the media along with the government ignored them purposely.
مجھے بہت افسوس ہے کہ یہ بچے اتنے دنوں سے سڑکوں پر رُل رہے ہیں ۔ ان کی سیٹس بحال ہونی چائیں ۔
مریم نواز pic.twitter.com/t7uCg4xY06— Sania Ashiq (@SaniaaAshiq) October 23, 2020
What people are saying: Many people have appreciated her visit. According to them this act will show that our mainstream politicians have to listen to the marginalized communities too.
Glad to see issue of Balochistan students, whose reserved seats in Punjab universities have been abolished, finally being given some coverage because @MaryamNSharif went to their protest camp to express solidarity with them. They marched for 12 days on foot from Multan to Lahore pic.twitter.com/OQm7Iak5ZS
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) October 23, 2020
"MNS" a leader of mainstream political party at the protest of Baloch and merge districts students. Good to see this. #BalochStudentsMarch4Edu pic.twitter.com/GZXVCuTzUw
— KP Development (@kp_development1) October 23, 2020
PTI government has totally ignored Baloch students and their struggle for education, YES even in 21st century students are struggling for getting education.
All political games and differences apart, thanks @MaryamNSharif for this amazing step and support#BalochStudentsMarch4Edu https://t.co/zOSehGVRwo— Famy.. (@fambanglani) October 23, 2020
Maryam Nawaz – leader of the biggest party in the Punjab – met students from Balochistan, a province with genuine historical grievances.
Trolls very confused about how to attack Maryam for this move.
— Aima Khosa (@aimaMK) October 23, 2020