Enacting laws: Universities Act passed with amendments

Treasury, opposition MPAs talk out proposed changes before final approval

PESHAWAR:

The much-criticised Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Universities (Amendment) Act 2015 was passed by the provincial assembly on Friday with amendments. The bill aimed at tightening the government’s grip over universities was being vehemently opposed by vice chancellors (VC) of public sector universities from across the province.

The act was passed after last-minute lengthy talks between treasury and opposition benches regarding the flurry of amendments moved by opposition lawmakers. Subsequently, most opposition MPAs withdrew their amendments, while other amendments lapsed as their movers were not present.

The government even proposed several amendments to its earlier amended version of the bill that was introduced in the house on February 17.

For more control

The act gives the government a greater say in the appointment of VCs of universities. Under it, the varsity’s academic search committee would recommend three candidates to the government for consideration and selection and the government shall advise the chancellor for the appointment of one of those candidates as VC. In contrast, the Universities Act 2012 passed under ANP’s rule, entailed that the government recommend three people for the post and the chancellor would select the final candidate.

Moreover, in the final amended bill the government has made a PhD or an equivalent degree a requirement for the post of VC; this stipulation was not a part of the initial draft.

Similarly, Clause 4, sub-section (6) states that a VC shall be appointed for a three-year period on market rate salary and on terms and conditions as may be determined by the government. The passed law also states that a VC may work in a university for a maximum of two terms.

Several amendments proposed by opposition lawmakers were also made to the final act.

Equal rights

Meanwhile, the house also passed a unanimous resolution – moved jointly by opposition and treasury members – calling for setting up a women’s parliamentary caucus.

PPP MPA Nighat Orakzai raised the issue of women of PK-95, Lower Dir-II being denied the right to vote in the by-polls. The lawmaker said announcements were made from the constituency’s mosques telling women not to come out to cast their votes.

She asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of the issue which the ECP did on Friday.

Women lawmakers from both sides of the aisle backed Orakzai and stood up in their seats to cheer for her. Earlier when the session started, a one-minute-long silence was observed by lawmakers for the Gilgit tragedy and fateha was offered for the deceased.

Yet again, the assembly proceedings began after a delay of over an hour. The session has been adjourned till Monday afternoon.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2015.