Imprudent tinkering

Any controversial and far-reaching move such as stripping the provincial governor of his controlling authority over public universities and other degree awarding institutions and handing those powers to the chief minister requires careful consideration and a certain degree of unanimity. As one of several major changes made to the proposed Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018, the ruling party’s attempt to bulldoze it through the legislative assembly could have evoked only one response: a walkout amid protests by opposition members.

The provincial government, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party, sees it as an essential reform and one that needs to be introduced following the 18^th constitutional amendment which places the education sector under the purview of the provinces. While it is true the Higher Education Commission Ordinance, 2002, does not apply to Sindh as the province has enacted its own law on higher education, it is disappointing to see the ruling party shying from proper debate on the proposed changes to the law. Any fundamental change such as granting the Sindh chief minister the power to appoint the chancellors of the provinces’s half a dozen or so universities needs to be vetted and examined, not rushed through. Over and over again, if necessary.

The role of a university chancellor, unlike the office of governor, falls within the legal realm and not a constitutional one. Fears have been raised by the opposition about the government’s unhealthy appetite for greater control of universities and educational institutions. The chief minister will gain financial control of universities and also be able to determine who does and does not get admission there. This may indeed set a dangerous precedent. For the time being, the opposition is counting on suo-motu action by the chief justice of Pakistan to stave off the PPP move. A united front could galvanise the opposition into action but it will probably take a lot more to overcome the challenge.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2018.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.