Student politics in Pakistan has had a history of mixed fortunes and shades. Though extremely tumultuous, it is also a history of rich democratic traditions. Before student unions were banned by the Zia-ul-Haq dictatorship in 1984, their activities were conducted through regular annual elections in universities and colleges. Student parties that participated in these elections played an important role in looking after vital academic, cultural and political interests of the students. Bellow is a history seen through profiles of some of the country's leading student parties.

· National Students Federation (NSF)

Formed in the mid-1950s from the ashes of the Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP) and its student wing, the Democratic Students Federation (DSF), NSF is one of the oldest progressive student organizations in Pakistan.

Though allied to various progressive political parties such as the Communist Party of Pakistan (in 1950s), the Pakistan Peoples Party (in the late 1960s), and the Mazdoor Kissan Party, its overall make-up has remained to be largely independent.

NSF exhibited remarkable electoral supremacy in student union elections across the 1960s and early 1970s and was at the forefront of the student movement against the Ayub Khan dictatorship in 1967-68.

It experienced a split in the late 1960sb though, between pro-China and pro-Moscow factions (NSF-Miraj, NSF-Kazmi).

Reversed its support for the Pakistan Peoples Party in 1973 when Prime Minister Z A. Bhutto started to purge the "socialist wing" of the PPP, of which former NSF leader, Meraj Muhammad Khan was a member.

Electoral influence started to wane from 1973 onwards as another faction broke away and formed Liberal Students Federation (LSF), thus splitting the progressive vote on campuses between NSF, DSF, LSF and Peoples Students Federation (PSF).

In late 1970s and 1980s became part of progressive electoral alliances, the United Students Movement (USM) in Karachi, and Progressive Students Alliance (PSA) in Punjab.

Took active part in various anti-Zia movements in the 1980s.

Also, allegedly helped arm the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Federation (APMSO) against the Islami-Jamiat-Taleba (IJT) in the early 1980s.

Organized anti-US rallies in Karachi during the first Gulf War in 1991.

Returned to activism when an NSF faction allied to the Mazdoor Kissan Party took active part in the lawyers' movement against the Mussharraf regime in 2007.

Currently has a small presence in a couple of colleges in Sindh and Punjab. Its most active faction is the Azad Kashmir National Students Federation (AKNSF) at the University of Azad Kashmir in Muzafargarh.

Ideology: Marxist (1960s-70s); Progressive (1980s-90s-2000s).

Famous former members: Hussain Naqi (Writer); Meraj Muhammad Khan (Former Minister); Fateyab Ali Khan (Politician); Raja Anwar (Former Minister/Writer); Ammanullah Khan (Politician); Dr. Haroon Ahmed (Psychiatrist); Tarek Fathe (Social Worker); Dr. Syed Eithesham (Physician/ Writer); Mujahid Berelvi (TV Talk Show Host); Mazhar Abbas (Journalist/TV Talk Show Host); Zaffar Abbas (Journalist); Liaqat Malik (Economist); S. Akber Zaidi (Economist/Writer); Nafees Siddiqui (Former Minister); Tauseef Ahmed Khan (Professor).

Strongholds: University of Karachi (1960s); Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1960s-70s); Dow Medical College, Karachi (1960s/70s/80s); Adamjee College, Karachi (1960s/70s); SM Law College, Karachi (1960s/70s); Government College, Lahore (1960s); Saint Patrick's Govt. College, Karachi (1970s/80s); Quied-e-Azam University, Islamabad (1980s); NED University, Karachi (1970s/80s).

· Islami-Jamiat-Taleba (IJT)

Student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). Repeatedly lost to NSF candidates in student union elections in 1960s. Gained electoral strength in early 1970s when the progressive vote on campuses split between various left-wing student parties and factions. Sustained upward electoral momentum across the decade.

Played a significant role in the 1977 Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) movement against the Z A. Bhutto regime.

Accused of introducing firearms in student politics when some IJT members fired upon an NSF rally at the University of Karachi in 1979. Became more violent after student politics were banned in 1984 by Zia-ul-Haq.

Demanded its mother party the JI to pull back its support for the Zia regime after the ban. Joined NSF and PSF in protests against the outlawing of student unions by the dictatorship.

However, was indirectly supported by Zia to wipe out liberal and progressive student forces in universities and colleges.

Formed "Thunder Squad" in various universities in the 1980s. These were IJT members whose job it was to "enforce the writ of Allah in educational institutions." The "Thunder Squad" evolved into "Allah Tigers" in the 1990s.

Eventually lost ground in Karachi to the rise of All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization (APMSO) in the late 1980s.

Got into a violent tussle with APMSO in Karachi and Muslim Students Federation (MSF) in the 1990s.

A more populist faction broke away in 1992 and formed Pasban.

Still strong in urban Punjab.

Ideology: Islamist (1960s-70s-80s-90s-2000s)

Famous former members: Liaqat Baloch (Former Minister); Shiakh Rashid Ahmed (Former Minister); Muhammad Ali Durrani (Former Minister); Hussain Haqqani (Former Minister/Writer); Farid Paracha (Politician); Syed Munawar Hussain (Politician); Muhammad Salahuddin (Journalist); Makhdoom Javed Hashmi (Former Minister); Murad Ali Shah (Politician); Raja Javed (notorious militant).

Strongholds: University of Karachi (1970s-80s); Gordon College, Rawalpindi (late-1970s-80s); University of Punjab, Lahore (1970s-80s-90s-2000s); Urdu College, Karachi (1970s-80s-90s); Islamia College, Karachi (1970s-80s-90s).

· Peoples Students Federation (PSF)

Student wing of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Formed in 1972. Part of progressive students' alliances USM and PSA in the 1970s and 1980s.

Exhibited electoral strength in interior Sindh and Northern Punjab. Played a leading role in anti-Zia agitation in late 1970s and then again during the MRD movement in 1981 and 1983. Many members were flogged and tortured by the Zia regime. Some members escaped to Kabul to join Murtaza Bhutto's Al-Zulfikar Organization (AZO) in 1980.

Involved in violent clashes with IJT and Jeeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF) in 1980s and the APMSO in 1989-90.

Accused by APMSO/MQM for using sophisticated firearms in the 12th May riots in Karachi in 2007.

Currently the organizing strength behind PPP rallies.

Ideology: Socialist (1970s); Progressive (1980s-90s-2000s)

Famous former members: Jehangir Badar (Former Minister); Masroor Ahsan (Former Senator); Qasim Zia (Former Minister/Hockey Player); Salamullah Tipu (notorious radical); Najeeb Ahmed (notorious radical); Kashmala Tariq (Former Minister); Comrade Sajjad (Politician/Social Worker); Mansoor Mirza (Politician).

Strongholds: Sindh University, Jamshoro (1970s-80s-90s-2000s); Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1970s); Sindh Medical College, Karachi (1980s-90s); St. Patrick's Govt. College (1990s); Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan (1980s-90s); University of Peshawar (1980s-90s); Quied-e-Azam University, Islamabad (1980s-90s); National College, Karachi (1980s); Govt. Commerce College, Karachi (1990s); Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur (1980s-90s).

· All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organization (APMSO)

Nationalist "mohajir" (Urdu speaking) students' group, formed in 1978 in Karachi. Was part of progressive student alliance the USM until becoming an independent force in 1988.

Toed a quasi-Socialist line until becoming increasingly jingoistic and militant in the mid-80s when its mother party the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) was formed.

Supported NSF, PSF and other progressive student parties in student union elections and remained part of the progressive USM alliance against the hegemonic IJT till 1988. Was armed by NSF and PSF in the early 80s (against IJT) and then, ironically, by the JSSF in the late '80s (against PSF).

Eventually sidelined IJT's influence in Karachi in the late '80s.

Accused of feeding activists to MQM's militant wing in the 1990s, before softening its stance in 1999.

Was accused of using sophisticated weapons in the bloody 12 May riots in Karachi in 2007.

Still strong in Karachi.

Ideology: Ethnic-Socialist (1970s); Militant-Ethnic (1980s-90s); Liberal (2000s).

Famous former members: Altaf Hussain (Politician); Azeem Ahmed Tariq (Former Minister); Imran Farooq (Politician); Dr. Farooq Sattar (Former Minister); Khalid Bin Walid (Politician/notorious militant); Aamir Khan (militant); Javed Langra (notorious militant); Waseem Akhtar (Former Minister); Mustafa Kamal (Mayor).

Strongholds: University of Karachi (1990s-2000s); DJ Science College, Karachi (1990s-2000s); NED University, Karachi (1990s-2000s); Sindh Medical College, Karachi (2000s).

· Muslim Students Federation (MSF)

Student wing of Pakistan Muslim League (PML). Played an active, and at times, militant role in the formation of Pakistan. Split into two factions in 1962, one supporting the Ayub Khan dictatorship and the other opposing it.

The anti-Ayub faction joined NSF's agitation against the Ayub regime in late 1960s.

Withered away in the 1970s before being revamped and revived in the late 1980s by the Zia-backed PML.

Supported the Nawaz Sharif faction of PML in the 1990s. Clashed with IJT in the Punjab in early 1990s.

Currently the organizing force behind PML (N) rallies.

Ideology: Populist (1960s); Conservative (1970s-80s); Populist-Conservative (1990s-2000s).

Famous former members: Moulana Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi (Politician); Yahya Bakhtiar (Lawyer); Nawaz Sharif (Former Prime Minister); Javed Hashmi (Former Minister); Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamai (Former Prime Minister); Javaad Ahmed (Musician).

Strongholds: Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1950s-early-60s); MAO College, Lahore (1990s-2000s); Dial Singh College, Lahore (1980s-90s), Islamia College, Lahore (1990s-2000s); and Government College, Raiwind (1990s-2000s).

· Democratic Students Federation (DSF)

The student wing of Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP), DSF was banned in 1953 when the CPP was accused by the government for aiding a left-wing military coup attempt against the Liaqat Ali Khan government (in 1951).

DSF was the strongest student organization in the country in the 1950s, but after the ban and harassment it struggled to sustain its hold and was soon overtaken by NSF.

However, DSF did manage to keep a presence in campus politics till the 1970s, but by the late 1980s, it had all but withered away.

Ideology: Marxist-Leninist (1950s-60s-70s); Socialist (1980s)

Famous former members: Dr. Muhammad Sarwar (Writer); Hassan Naqi (Writer); Nazish Amrohvi (Poet); Adeeb-ul-Hasan Rizvi (Urologist).

Strongholds: University of Karachi (1950s); Dow Medical College, Karachi (1950s); University of Punjab (1950s); Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1950s).

· Baloch Students Organization (BSO)

Formed in 1967 from various Baloch student groups emerging from the affects of the "second Balochistan insurgency" in 1961-62. Allied itself with the left-wing National Awami Party (NAP) and found immediate electoral success in colleges and universities in Balochistan.

Also established itself in Karachi in the 1970s by allying itself to NSF in student union elections. Became increasingly militant during the "third Balochistan insurgency" (1972-76). Many members also joined Balochistan Liberation Army, a guerilla warfare outfit. Became part of the progressive USM alliance in Karachi across the 1980s.

Started to shed some of its militant Marxist moorings in the 1990s and eventually split into many factions, BSO, BSO (Azad), BSO (Mengal) and BSO (Hai). BSO (Hai) evolved into Balochistan National Party (BNP) in 1988.

BSO (Azad) is alleged to have been involved in the Balochistan's current militant strife against the Musharraf regime.

Ideology: Marxist (1960s); Marxist-Nationalist (1970s-80s); Nationalist (1990s-2000s).

Famous former members: Khair Jan Baloch (Guerilla); Hameed Baloch (Radical); Ahmed Rasheed (Journalist/Writer); Bashir Zaib Baloch (Politician); Mir Balach Marri (Politician); Dr. Abdul Hai (Politician).

Strongholds: Bolan Medical College, Quetta (1970s-80s-90s); Baluchistan University of Engineering & Technology, Khuzdar (1970s-80s-90s); University of Balochistan (1970s-80s-90s-2000s); Dow Medical College, Karachi (early-1970s).

· Pashtun Students Organization (PSO)

Formed in the 1970s, PSO is the student wing of the PakhtunKhua Milli Awami Party (PKMAP). It has influence in the NWFP, Quetta and Karachi. Was part of USM in the 1980s. Still strong in Quetta and in some colleges in the NWFP.

Ideology: Nationalist-Marxist (1970s-80s); Nationalist (2000s).

Famous former members: Nasir Khan Achakzai (Politician); Mir Amal Kansi (Militant).

Strongholds: Bolan University, Quetta (1980s-90s-2000s).

· Punjabi Students Association (PSA)

Student group formed in Karachi in the 1980s to look after the interests of Punjabi students in the colleges and universities of the city. Though starting out as a progressive organization and part of the USM in the early 1980s, PSA became increasingly chauvinistic and pro-establishment. It was also alleged to have had the backing of the Zia regime.

Ideology: Conservative (1980s-90s).

Famous former members: Dr. Shahid Masood (TV Talk Show Host); Malik Rasheed (Politician).

Strongholds: Sindh Medical College, Karachi (1980s-90s); Jamia Millia College, Karachi (1980s-90s).

· Imamia Students Organization (ISO)

Formed in 1972 to "defend the interests of Shia students," ISO became all the more conservative after the Islamic Revolution in Iran (1979). It was also accused of being funded by Iran's Islamist regime.

Ideology: Conservative (1970s); Shia-Islamist (1980s-90s-2000s).

Famous former members: Dr. Muhammad Ali Navi (Scholar).

· Anjuman-e-Taleba-e-Islam (ATI)

Formed in 1969 as a reaction against the increasing left-wing student activity in the country's educational institutions. Not only presented a challenge to progressive student organizations, but also the IJT in student union elections. Took active part in PNA's anti-Bhutto movement in 1977. Became more sectarian (Sunni) and is said to have inspired the creation of sectarian organizations like Thareek-e-Khatima-Nanuwat in the 1970s and the Sunni Thereek in the 1980s.

Started to lose much of its electoral strength at the expense of the IJT in the late 1970s.

Ideology: Conservative-Islamist (1970s); Sectarian (1980s-90s).

Strongholds: Islamia College, Karachi (1970s); Islamia College, Bhawalpur (1970s).

· Jeay Sindh Students Federation (JSSF)

Formed in 1973 by veteran Sindhi nationalist leader, G M. Syed as student wing of his Jeay Sindh Movement. Advocated the separation of Sindh from rest of Pakistan ("Sindhu Desh"). Though influential in various colleges in the interior of Sindh, the JSSF failed to gain any electoral strength. It was constantly defeated by PSF.

The JSSF became more militant in the early 1980s, and even though opposed to the PPP, some members took part in the violent anti-Zia MRD movement in Sindh. Some of these members later broke away from JSSF and formed Jeay Sindh Takarkee Pasand Party.

Got into violent clashes with APMSO in Hayderabad in the late 1980s.

It is yet to get out of the shadow of PSF which is still the strongest student party in interior Sindh.

Ideology: Nationalist (1970s); Militant-Ethnic (1980s-90s).

Famous former members: Bashir Qureshi (Politician); Dr. Qadir Magsi (Politician).

Strongholds: Sindh University, Jamshoro (1980s); Mehran University (1980s-90s); Liaqat Medical college (1980s-90s).

· Insaaf Students Federation (ISF)

Recently formed student wing of Imran Khan's Thareek-e-Insaaf.

Ideology: Conservative-Populist

· Progressive Students Alliance (PSA)

Electoral alliance formed in late 1970s to counter IJT's rise in Punjab's colleges and universities. Included National Students Federation, Democratic Students Federation and Peoples Students Federation.

Defeated IJT in 1977 and 1978 student union elections in Northern Punjab. Played leading role in anti-Zia movements at the Quied-e-Azam University in the 1980s. Dissolved in 1988.

Ideology: Progressive/Socialist

Strongholds: Gordon College, Rawalpindi (1970s-80s); Quied-e-Azam University, Islamabad (1980s).

· United Students Movement (USM)

Electoral student alliance formed in Karachi in 1979. Included National Students Federation, Democratic Students Federation, Peoples Students Federation, All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organization, Baloch Students Organization and Pukhtun Students Organization. Managed to route IJT in the last student union elections to be held in Karachi in 1981. Survived as an anti-Zia/anti-IJT alliance throughout the 1980s.

Dissolved in 1990 after APMSO left in 1988 and PSF left in 1989.

Ideology: Progressive/Socialist

Strongholds: University of Karachi (1980s); NED University, Karachi (1980s).

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Sources:

· Student Resistance: A History of the Unruly Subject: Mark Edelman Boren.

· Migrants and Militants: Fun and Urban Violence in Pakistan: Oskar Verkaaik

· The Pakistan People's Party: Rise to Power: Philip E. Jones

· Campus Lockdown: Basim Usmani (Guardian)

· The Terrorist Prince: Raja Anwar

· Guns, Slums & Yellow Devils: LAURENT GAYER

· 'Student politics had no hidden agendas:' Shahzada Irfan Ahmed (The News)

· Violence per se: Aoun Sahi (The News)

· A major student victory: Minerva (Journal)

· Whose Party: Abbas Zaidi (The Nation)

· Chingari: Periodical of the Democratic Students Federation (1981-1982).

· Jaddo-Jihad: Periodical of the United Students Movement (1981)

· Pakistan: Between Mosque And Military: Hussain Haqqani

· Students & the Nation: S. Zia. Abbas

· The Times and Trials of the Rawalpindi Conspiracy 1951: The First Coup Attempt in Pakistan: Hasan Zaheer.

· A Journey to Disillusionment : Sherbaz Khan Mazari

· Politics of Identity: Ethnic Nationalism and the State in Pakistan: Adeel Khan

*The author was a member of Peoples Students Federation (PSF) at St. Patrick's Govt. College, Karachi, in 1985-86, and National Students Federation (NSF) at the University of Karachi between 1988 and 1990.