Students living in private hostels across the twin cities are facing a multitude of problems, as most of the private sector colleges and universities have a shortage of accommodation for students, while the authorities concerned seem little interested to resolve the problem.
A large number of students belonging to other cities and towns are getting education in various academic institutions in the twin cities. Most of these students cannot even afford a small house or apartment on rent and left with no other option, they turn to private hostels for shelter. But the students residing in these private hostels face countless problems like transportation, lack of facilities in the hostels, substandard meals and above all, lack of security. Many students living in private hostels said that due to lack of proper living facilities, they had to make do with small rooms. “It is quite difficult to find a reasonably-priced living space in the capital,” they added. Abdullah, a student at NUML University, told Pakistan Today that the owners of private hostels charged between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,000 for a single bed accommodation.
“I live in a small room in a private hostel with three other boys,” he said. Abdullah said the cleanliness situation was very poor and the food served was substandard. It mmust be accounted that hostel owners are not answerable to any authority as there is no check and balance over the business.
They are doing business according to their own will and are least bothered about the convenience of hostel boarders. These hostels are providing shelter, but the students belonging to far-flung areas are not at all satisfied with facilities they are being provided there. Another student living in a private hostel said that hostel owners were taking full advantage of their helplessness and cashing in on the situation. Zahid, a student of Bahria University, said he was living in a private hostel in Islamabad and paying Rs 6,000 per month. He said he deposited Rs 3,000 as security fee at the time of admission and the hostel owner assured me of I providing healthy food and a furnished room with an internet connection. “But there was nothing except for a dirty room, unhygienic food and a dirty washroom and kitchen,” Zahid said.
Sadat, another student, said there was a single washroom for 11 students in the hostlel he lived in. He said, “We are three students living in a room with a worn-out carpet and broken windows.” Sadat said there was no refrigerator facility even in summer. “At the time of admission, I was promised to be provided internet facility but I am still waiting for it. The food quality is also not up to the mark”. The hapless students demanded authorities concerned and their respective universities and colleges’ administration take notice of the issue to mitigate their miseries.
