QAU, IIUI facing serious issues: NA panel

Forms sub-committee to resolve management matters of the two varsities

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on Friday said that the Quaid-i-Azam (QAU) University and the Islamabad International University Islamabad (IIUI) are facing serious issues which have long been neglected by the relevant authorities.

The committee met with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Najibudin Awaisi in the chair and raised serious questions over the performance of QAU. Committee members noted that its issues have been highlighted over time but have not been resolved.

The committee also expressed its dissatisfaction over the absence of QAU vice-chancellor in the meeting and directed him to ensure that he attends the next meeting.

The NA panel also discussed issues being faced by IIUI. It observed that issues have cropped up due to a quarrel between the two main officials sitting on the driving seat of the varsity. The IIUI rector annuls the orders of the president making the governance of the institution almost impossible.

MNAs Sadaqat Abbasi said that around 30,000 students of IIUI have had to face multiple issues due to poor management.

To resolve issues at both universities, the standing committee constituted a sub-committee comprising Andleeb Abbas, DR Shazia Sobia, Sadaqat Abbasi and Mehnaz Akbar.

The committee withheld action on around 10 bills due to the absence of Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Parliamentary Secretary Wajiha Akram. The two are currently on a tour of the United Kingdom to attend an important conference.

The meeting was also attended by the MNAs Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, Sadaqat Abbasi, Andleeb Abbas, Dr Shazia Sobia, officials from the QAU, IIUI, and other concerned departments.