Khyber  –  Students of Government Postgraduate College Landi Kotal on Monday blocked the Pak-Afghan bypass road in protest against the delay in the conduct of their postponed examinations by the University of Peshawar (UoP).

A large number of students gathered on the highway at around 8:00am and staged a sit-in, suspending all vehicular traffic. The protesters carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans in support of their demands. Speaking on the occasion, student leader Daud Shinwari said they were scheduled to appear in their final examinations in February this year. However, due to the uncertain security situation along the Pak-Afghan border, the examinations were postponed.

“We repeatedly conveyed our grievances to the concerned authorities and our elected representative, requesting that the examinations be conducted, but to no avail,” he said. “If our examinations are not held by July 15, we will lose an entire academic year,” he added.

He alleged that the University of Peshawar’s continued negligence and delaying tactics had created uncertainty about the students’ academic future. He said the issue affected students from all four departments of the college, adding that the indifferent attitude of the concerned officials had compelled them to take to the streets.

“We will continue our protest until the issue is resolved,” he warned.

The protest continued for nearly one and a half hours. Following assurances from the college principal and local elders that efforts would be made to resolve the issue, the students peacefully dispersed and reopened the road for traffic.