The administration of some universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued dress code orders for students. Which is being criticized not only by students but also by teachers.

The Hazara University of Mansehra has issued a statement regarding the dress code in which female students are banned from wearing jeans, wearing make-up, and carrying big bags.

Similarly, students are banned from wearing T-shirts, slippers, and earrings. While having long hair is prohibited. The statement also imposed similar restrictions on university faculty and staff.

It has also been made mandatory to hang the identity card issued by the university for admission in Hazara University.

Prior to Hazara University, similar restrictions were imposed on students at other Khyber Pakhtunkhwa universities, including Khan Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan and Bacha Khan University in Charsadda. However, at that time, the management of these universities ware facing severe criticism due to which the sanctions could not be fully implemented.

Dr. Khalil-ur-Rehman, Head of the Department of Sociology, Hazara University, said that the purpose of this declaration is to create an atmosphere of simplicity in the University and to reduce the expenditure on students’ clothing.

Hazara University

Hazara University has announced that it is mandatory for all female students to wear abaya, scarf, and shalwar kameez.

A professor at Khushal Khan University in the southern district of Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said his institution had no clear dress code policy. However, a few days ago, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a meeting had directed the issuance of a dress code similar to that of Hazara University. It is currently under construction. A formal statement will be issued in the next few days.

Dr. Jamil Chitrali, former president of the University of Peshawar’s teachers’ union and a senior faculty member. He told that in the recent past, Islamia College University had issued a statement banning female students from wearing abayas only. Elsewhere, there were no restrictions on clothing.

He criticized the decision of Hazara University on dress code. Furthermore, he said that universities are not only institutions for learning knowledge but also civilization. Where students have the opportunity to see and examine each other closely. Therefore, the dress code should not be restricted here.