Students at IBA Karachi, one of Pakistan’s top business school, turned heads last week with a dramatic protest. During a recruitment drive by Coca-Cola, over 90% of students staged a walkout, sending a clear message about their convictions. This wasn’t your typical “free pizza, meet the company” event. The students had a specific reason for their exit: Coca-Cola’s perceived ties to the conflict in Gaza.
A Walkout for Palestine
The protest wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. Students had already approached the IBA administration, urging them to cancel the recruitment drive altogether. When that didn’t work, they took a stand during the event itself. A video of the walkout, showing students holding signs and exiting the venue, has gone viral on social media.
This isn’t just about a single company. Analysts see it as a broader trend – a growing focus on corporate responsibility among young people. They’re questioning the ethics of who they work for and the impact those companies have on the world.
Support or Condemnation?
The protest has sparked debates online and off. Some, like Sushant Sareen, a senior fellow at ORF, expressed concern, questioning the students’ motivations. But others see it as a positive sign, a willingness to take a stand for what they believe in.
Just shows the depths of jihadism to which Pakistan has sunk. Imagine people in IIMA doing something like this – supporting a jihadist terror organisation like HAMAS. There is nothing normal in that country anymore. Anyone who thinks you can have normal relations with them needs… https://t.co/AQv6KOiaIc
— sushant sareen (@sushantsareen) March 30, 2024
This incident comes at a challenging time for Pakistan. The country is battling economic woes, including hyperinflation and soaring food prices. The cost of everyday essentials like onions has doubled, putting a strain on household budgets.
With these economic struggles as a backdrop, the students’ actions take on even greater significance. They’re not just concerned about global issues – they’re aware of the impact those issues have on their own lives. The IBA Karachi protest shows that this generation of Pakistani youth is engaged, informed, and willing to fight for what they believe in, both at home and abroad.
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