Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: A tragic accident on Quetta’s Airport Road has brought the issue of overcrowded student transportation to the forefront. An overcrowded bus carrying students from Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) led to the death of Ali Asghar, an Electrical Engineering student, and left another student injured near the Chiltan Housing Scheme area. This incident has incited widespread outrage and demands for accountability.
Social activist Rozina Khilji, speaking at a press conference, condemned the university administration and government for their negligence. “This tragedy is a direct result of the administration’s failure to ensure safe transportation for students. We demand a thorough investigation into this incident,” she stated. Khilji’s remarks echo the growing frustration among the public regarding the lack of proactive measures for student safety.
Following the incident, Balochistan’s Education Minister Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani ordered an investigation, appointing Hafiz Tahir, Secretary of Higher Education Balochistan, as the inquiry officer. Tahir is expected to submit a detailed report to the government. However, this action has not alleviated the anger among students and activists.
The Pashtoonkhwa Students Organization (PSO) organized a protest, demanding immediate action and improvements in student transportation. A BUITEMS student, speaking anonymously, criticized the university and government: “We risk our lives daily traveling in these overcrowded buses. The administration is aware of the issue but does nothing to resolve it. How many more lives need to be lost before they take this seriously?”
Another student, Zahra Baloch, voiced her frustration, saying, “The vice-chancellor and the government have shown no concern for our safety. This incident could have been prevented if they had taken necessary measures. We need real solutions, not just empty promises.”
The tragic death of Ali Asghar underscores the dangers posed by overcrowded buses and the negligence of the authorities. The university administration and the government must take immediate steps to address these safety concerns and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
