National Assembly passes bill for free higher education quota

The National Assembly on Tuesday approved a bill mandating a 25% quota for free university education for deserving students across the country, Express News reported.

The lower house of Parliament passed two key pieces of legislation, with the highlight being a new law requiring universities to allocate 25% of their seats for free education to financially deserving students.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Agha Rafiullah called for the inclusion of a 25% quota for free education within the Institute for Science and Technology Bill specifically for deserving and high-achieving students. The amendment was approved by the assembly.

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However, an amendment proposed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) MNA Aliya Kamran, opposing the bill on the grounds that education falls under provincial jurisdictionm, was rejected.

In addition to the free education quota bill, the House approved the Institute for Science and Technology Bill 2024 and the International Examination Board Bill 2024.

The House also approved the International Examination Board Bill 2024, presented by chairman of the Kashmir Committee, MNA Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, which seeks to establish an internationally recognized examination authority within Pakistan.

Following the passage of the bills, the National Assembly session was adjourned until 11:00 am the following day.