University is an institution where the academic freedom is the basic and essential requirement for teachers and students. The way of learning and teaching is the primary difference among the university, college and school, in general. Unlike the schools and colleges, the varsity allows the apprentice to open the door of wisdom on the basis of research. Nevertheless, research is the definite way to express the logical answers of unknown subjects and explore several phenomena. Research supports the factual and rational outcomes, but the journey to find out the facts about the unsorted issues is the real task of researchers. One of the core practices that a university develops is the freedom of expression and open discussion over the research-based subjects. It allows the faculty members and students to communicate in an open and optimistic environment. University is an independent institution in the society. Its development proportionally impacts several sectors. It organises the religious tolerance, economics, management, and behaviour of the society, cultural pluralism, democratic sense among other things. The development of the varsities is not merely on the growth of the buildings. The context of development exists in the change, freedom and research. These three are the elementary fundamentals to organise and manage the university properly and tangibly. The academic freedom is of significant value to a varsity. It is the principle which consolidates the varsity’s establishment. The valuable standard can only be maintained with the practice of autonomy. But the Sindh government is trying to seize this autonomy from academic institutions. Recently, the Government of Sindh passed the Sindh Universities Ordinance Amended Bill 2018. There are several charges mentioned in the amended bill. Few of these points are necessary to understand the gist of the bill. The 1973 University Ordinance was an example of academic freedom. Unfortunately, it has now been hijacked by the Sindh government According to the bill, no university shall have independent decision-making power. For the designation of vice chancellor, instead of nominating a professor, anyone in the position of power can be a vice chancellor. In the academic council and the syndicate, the representation of the teachers has been a bridged, however, on the contrary, the government nominees have been enhanced. Moreover, the services and positions of Senate and syndicate have been disempowered. According to the 18th amendment, the chief minister is now the chief executive of the province, while the governor presents a symbolic status. The restriction shall be applied to the admission policy, and its regulation will be controlled. This bill is fully supported and promoted in favour of one-point agenda that will literally destroy and abolish the autonomy of the universities. In the meantime, it will shift the power to the bureaucracy. To compare with the University Ordinance 1973, the first revolutionised bill by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he initiated the bill to make the universities independent. The entire bill supported the academic freedom. A few points from the 1973 ordinance need to be addressed in comparison with the newly amended bill. The chairperson of a department is selected for three years. However, before the bill, the chairperson had an unrestricted term. The board of faculty elected the dean. The representation of the University’s teachers was increased in the syndicate and other statutory bodies. The representatives of student unions were also included in the syndicate and statutory bodies. The colleges affiliated with a university were allowed in the syndicate. The 1973 University Ordinance was an example of academic freedom. Unfortunately, it has now been hijacked by the Sindh government. There will be enormous consequences for teachers and students. A successful education system does not rely on the monetary benefits. Rather, it requires academic freedom. The writer is a Teaching Assistant in Department of Mass Communication, University of Karachi. She blogs at falaknazedu.wordpress.com Published in Daily Times, April 23rd 2018.