Student Dies After Being Struck by University Bus
KARACHI: A tragic accident at the University of Karachi on Friday resulted in the death of Aniqa Saeed, a second-year student from the Department of Social Work, after she was struck by a university bus on campus. According to police, the 20-year-old student was disembarking from the bus when the incident occurred. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Saeed was declared dead upon arrival.
Grief and Outrage Spark Protests
The incident quickly ignited grief and outrage among the student body, leading to protests on campus. Students gathered, demanding accountability from the university administration and improved safety measures for campus transport. Many students expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of transport safety, calling for immediate changes to prevent such accidents in the future.
University and Government Officials Respond
The tragic accident also caught the attention of local government officials. Sindh Minister for Universities and Boards, Ismail Rahoo, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it a “tragic incident.” He requested a detailed report from the university’s vice chancellor and ordered a formal inquiry. Rahoo assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori also expressed his condolences to the family and directed the vice chancellor to initiate a thorough investigation. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive probe by the police to ensure accountability.
University Administration’s Response
In response to the accident, the University of Karachi’s administration expressed its deep sadness and offered condolences to the bereaved family. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi visited the family personally to offer support and condolences.
The university immediately took action, suspending the bus driver involved in the incident. Dr. Iraqi also announced the formation of a four-member investigation committee to look into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The committee, led by Professor Dr. Naima Saeed, Chairperson of the Department of Criminology, includes the NED University transport in-charge and two students from the Department of Social Work.
Investigation and Future Safety Measures
The investigation committee has been tasked with submitting a detailed report to the Vice Chancellor. Once the report is received, the university intends to introduce preventive measures to ensure the safety of all students using campus transportation in the future.
