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Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PA again passes disputed bills amid ruckus
KARACHI: The treassury benches in Sindh Assembly, in a turbulent session on Monday, re-approved the Sindh Universities Amendment Bill 2025 and the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Bill (Revised). Governor Kamran Tessori had refused to sign the controversial laws and returned the bills with notes of objections. Approving the disapproved bills ignited a powder keg in the house. The opposition members, led by MQM-P, staged a strong protest, tore the copies of the bills and raised slogans of 'black law, rejected, rejected'. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ziaul Hassan Lanjar presented the Sindh Universities Amendment Bill 2025 and the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Bill (Revised) separately for approval in the session chaired by the Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony. The protesting members surrounded the speaker's dais and chanted slogans against the two laws. On this occasion, Sharjeel Inam Memon, speaking on one of his points of order, said that the behaviour of the opposition today was condemnable. MQM-P and PTI have joined hands. Now they have an alliance and today's ruckus in the House is the result of the alliance. He said that the uninvited guests in this House should be ashamed. Sharjeel severely criticised the opposition and said that none of the people who protested today even bothered to have read the bill. In the future, any capable person can be appointed as the Vice Chancellor of a university. The commotion on the part of the opposition was a childish act. The opposition members also walked out of the House after their protest. During its proceedings, the Sindh Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution to pay homage to the great Sufi saint of Sindh, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. This resolution was presented in the house by PPP member Shazia Singhar. Later, the assembly session was adjourned. Minister vows to combat drug Sindh Excise Narcotics Control Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla urged members of the provincial Assembly to identify drug dealers and trafficking dens in their respective constituencies, assuring that action will be taken against them. Most rehab centres for drug addicts are being run by the Sindh government itself, Chawla said. He expressed these views while answering various written and supplementary questions from members during the Question and Answer Session on the Excise, Narcotics, and Taxation Department in the Sindh Assembly. Members of the Sindh Assembly expressed concern over the rising incidence of drug abuse in Sindh. Mukesh Chawla challenged the members to identify drug trafficking dens and assured strict action against them. PTI member Sajjad Soomro said that a rehabilitation centre has been established in Lyari, but drug trafficking dens are operating openly in the area. The Excise Minister invited Soomro to visit Lyari with him to identify the spots where drugs are being sold. Kumar stated that the provincial government will not hesitate to take action against elements involved in drug trafficking.
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sindh Assembly passes universities amendment bill amid protest
Listen to article The Sindh Assembly on Monday approved the Universities Amendment Bill 2025, despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers. The bill, which had been previously returned by the governor, was reintroduced and passed after a heated debate. Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly opposed the bill, chanting slogans and creating disruptions in the assembly. Despite the opposition's objections, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar presented the bill, which was subsequently passed by the assembly. Opposition members, including MQM-P and PTI lawmakers, rushed to the speaker's dais in protest, voicing their opposition to the bill. The opposition also staged a walkout in response to the passage of the bill. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon criticised the opposition's actions, accusing them of protesting without understanding the contents of the bill. He also remarked that MQM and PTI had formed an alliance in the assembly. The Sindh Assembly also discussed the Sindh Civil Courts Amendment Bill (Revised), which had been previously passed but returned by the governor with objections. The assembly approved both bills, with opposition protests continuing throughout the session. The controversial bill allows senior bureaucrats in grade-21 or above, with at least four years of experience and a relevant Master's degree, to be appointed as vice chancellors (VCs) of public-sector universities in Sindh. However, a PhD is still required for the VC position at engineering universities. The bill also includes provisions regarding the resignation or retirement of bureaucrats seeking the VC position and sets an age limit for applicants. This decision has sparked widespread criticism from academics and teacher associations, who argue that a doctoral degree should remain the minimum qualification for the VC position, particularly for general universities. They have expressed concerns that appointing bureaucrats with administrative backgrounds could undermine the academic integrity of universities. Governor Kamran Tessori had previously raised concerns about the bill, stating that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) guidelines require VCs to be academicians, not bureaucrats. Despite these objections, the Sindh provincial cabinet rejected the governor's concerns and referred the bill back to the assembly for approval. The passing of the bill is seen as part of broader efforts by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led provincial government to reform university leadership criteria. However, critics warn that the law could potentially harm the quality of higher education in Sindh by allowing individuals without academic qualifications to take on the role of VCs. The Sindh Assembly session was adjourned indefinitely following the heated debates and protests.
