Latest news with #Zia-ul-HassanLanjar
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Earthquake sparks mass escape from Pakistan prison
More than 200 inmates have escaped from a prison in Pakistan after they were moved from their cells for safety amid earthquake tremors, officials have said. Several dozen of the prisoners that broke out of the jail in Karachi were quickly recaptured, police said on Tuesday, but at least 130 are understood to remain unaccounted for. Authorities added that raids are under way to apprehend those still at large. Of the 216 prisoners who had fled from Malir prison during the night, 78 had been recaptured, Kashif Abbasi, a senior police official, told the AP news agency. He stressed that none of the escaped prisoners were convicted fighters. Escapes are not common from Pakistani jails, which have stepped up security measures since an attack on a prison by the Pakistani Taliban in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, which freed hundreds of inmates. One prisoner was killed and three security officials were wounded in a shootout that developed amid a bid to put one of the escapees back into custody. Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, home minister for Sindh province, said the jailbreak happened while prisoners were removed from their cells for safety during the tremors. Once outside their cells, a group of inmates attacked guards, seized their weapons and opened fire. In comments carried live on local TV news channels, Lanjar said the prison break was one of the largest ever in Pakistan, the Reuters news agency reported.
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.
