CM Sindh defers SMC bill until mutual consensus is reached

Faisal Sabzwari says, decision of deference came after he pleaded the CM, law minister and education minister.

KARACHI: MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and the Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro to defer the Jinnah Sindh Medical University ordinance until a mutual consensus was reached between the MQM and PPP, Express News reported.

The bill that was tabled by the Pakistan People's Party in the Sindh Assembly, would allow the government to give proper university status to the Sindh Medical College.

This new university would be renamed as Jinnah Sindh Medical University.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Sabzwari said, "We pleaded the chief minister, law minister and education minister to discuss the matters before passing the bill. In response they said that President has ordered them to pass the bill. However, on our continuous request the chief minister agreed to hold discussions on the matter."

He also added, “instead of giving authority of the educational institution to just one individual, power should lie in the hands of an association comprising of the Vice Chancellor, professors, assistant professors, lecturers, governor appointees etc.”

He said that such an overseeing body would assist in resolving outstanding disputes through negotiation and dialogue.

Earlier, the Sindh Assembly approved a resolution for the establishment of a university in Hyderabad by way of a public-private partnership.

The joint resolution was moved by MQM Member of Provincial Assembly Syed Waseem Hussain and Pakistan People’s Party MPA Farheen Mughul.