PTI’s absence to brain drain and delayed polls: LUMS students bombard politicians with thorny questions

Social media is buzzing with riveting videos of LUMS students bombarding politicians with hard-hitting questions and exposing the contradictions in their narratives that proved detrimental to Pakistan.

These students are earning widespread acclaim for spotlighting the harsh realities of the country, grilling politicians from various parties during the university's open-house session, which was broadcasted by a private TV channel.

Prominent politicians such as Mushtaq Ahmad Khan from Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahsan Iqbal from Pakistan Muslim League-N, and Hafiz Hamdullah from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) appeared as representatives of their respective parties in the open-house and faced scrutiny.

The videos from the LUMS have sparked a frenzy online, with many commending the students for setting a trend of ‘political wokeness’ in youth and holding politicians publicly accountable.

The students posed tough questions on alleged abductions, PTI’s political representation, the youth's role in politics, election fairness and openly criticised politicians. 

Again, the students of LUMS have proven themselves!🔥
As someone wisely said, "You may confine an individual, but their ideas and conscience remain unfettered."
Clearly, the vision of Imran Khan reflects in their eyes.Mashallah🫶#Lums #Well_Informed_Youthpic.twitter.com/5P6EwpDpbV

— 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂♡ (@TheMysticMaria) December 1, 2023

‘X’ user Maria Mushtaq praised LUMS students, she wrote in her post: "Again, the students of LUMS have proven themselves! As someone wisely said, 'You may confine an individual, but their ideas and conscience remain unfettered.' Clearly, the vision of Imran Khan reflects in their eyes. Mashallah.”

Politicians faced thorny questions, including why youth remains absent from the top-tier leadership of political parties. Despite government claims of implementing education development policies, why are millions of youth heading abroad? Why were elections delayed beyond the legal limit of 90 days? Moreover, why is freedom of speech lacking, despite being guaranteed in Article 9 of the constitution?

"You invited politicians from dominant political parties but the most dominant party of youth which is PTI, you did not invite its representative, why?” a student posed this question to journalist Talat Hussain hosting the open-house session.

On October 30, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar engaged in an open-house session at LUMS, facing a series of thoughtful questions from students.

The interim prime minister's pensive interaction with students had taken intern by storm.

The queries spanned topics such as the postponement of provincial elections, the mayoral dispute in Karachi, the growing influence of religious elements in politics, concerns about Pakistan's social dynamics, the continued deportation of Afghan refugees, the state's involvement in fostering extremist groups, and challenges to his own authority as the head of government.