Foundations of Students’ Activism: A Cursory Study in Pakistani Political Settings of Preliminary Democratic Decade

Abstract

Pakistani politics is mostly based on individuals instead of institutions. There is lack of strength, and strong bonding and this gulf give space to other individual leaders or pressure groups to fill this gap. Students being young and energetic are used and exploited and the put their part in this political process. On the other hand, they exert positive influence to run the political system in right direction. After the independence of Pakistan, students played their role in manifestation of political set up, agitation role as a pressure group, and deep involvement into policymaking and the political processes. The creation of Pakistan goes deep into the Pakistan Movement where students played their vital role. Since that time students’ unions or groups had accelerated and established strong system in Pakistan. The ongoing study highlights the aspect of pre- and post-partition student activism, with particular deliberation to the early democratic decades (1947-1958).

Keywords: student activism; British Empire; Freedom Movement; Pakistani political setting; Left-Right milieu; Language Issue