The tragic suicide of a Lahore student has sparked renewed concern over academic pressure in Pakistan’s higher education system, with family members and classmates urging a thorough investigation into student suicide and stress at universities.
Muhammad Awais Sultan, a Doctor of Pharmacy student at a private university in Lahore, died on December 19 after jumping from a campus building. Police and witnesses have treated it as a likely suicide, with CCTV footage reportedly capturing the fall.
Speaking to media, Awais’s brother Sohaib Sultan claimed his sibling was under immense academic pressure, having been repeatedly warned by university staff that he might be barred from exams due to low attendance, despite his fees being fully paid. This, the family says, contributed to severe stress in the days before his death.
A class fellow also confirmed the academic pressure narrative, noting that Awais was distressed after being denied entry to class by a teacher and was anxious about his academic future.
In response, the university has set up a seven‑member inquiry committee to examine whether administrative practices, harassment or other factors played roles in the incident. Students have staged protests calling for accountability and better mental health support systems for learners.
Mental health experts say academic stress can significantly raise the risk of depression and suicidal ideation among students, a pattern documented in recent research across Pakistan’s colleges and universities.
The discussion resonates beyond Lahore. In another distressing case, a 38‑year‑old doctor in Pakistan died by suicide after his US visa was rejected, highlighting how bureaucratic and career pressures can push professionals to the brink.
Advocates are calling on educational institutions nationwide to strengthen counseling services and stress management policies so students are better supported, a move supporters say may prevent future tragedies linked to academic pressure and mental health crises.
