‘Proposed amendment bill threatens HEC autonomy’

Legislation presented in NA termed in conflict with 18th Amendment

LAHORE:

Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Shahid Muneer has expressed concern about the Higher Education Commission Amendment Bill, which has been presented in the National Assembly.

In a letter addressed to Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, he has appealed for his assistance in this matter.

The contents of the letter reveal that the Punjab HEC was deeply worried about the proposed amendments in the bill, which would take away the autonomy of the HEC and universities.

The letter also stated that the bill presented in the National Assembly is in conflict with the 18th Amendment of the Constitution and the Sindh Higher Education Act, 2013.

The amendment bill was introduced in the National Assembly as a private member's bill and proposes 40 amendments to the HEC Ordinance, encroaching on the domains of the provinces and attempting to bring the provincial higher education institutions under the HEC.

The Punjab HEC chairman has stated that the bill has amended almost all the provisions of the HEC Ordinance and added new provisions without consulting the key stakeholders.

The amendments have also caused concern among HEC institutions and provincial governments, as it is proposed to give the power to the HEC to form search committees for the appointment of vice-chancellors.

It should be noted that the Sindh Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr SM Tariq Rafi has also written a letter to the Sindh Chief Minister expressing his concerns on behalf of his province.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2023.