Syed Ali Shah :
Universities across Balochistan would be under the jurisdiction/control of the Chief Minister rather than Governor Balochistan. On Monday evening, the provincial assembly passed the Balochistan universities amendment act amid uproar in the house. Balochistan Education Minister, Mir Naseebullah Marri tabled the bill, which was adopted by a majority of the members amid the uproar.
Mitha Khan Kakar of the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Nasrullah Zarai of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) expressed reservations about curtailing the powers of the Governor/Chancellor. They demanded of the Speaker refer the bill to the standing committee for further deliberations.
Under the act CM, Govt, Cabinet to appoint VCs of universities
Under the amendment act, the Chief Minister, government, and cabinet will be having the power to appoint Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of universities across the province.
“Governor should not be made powerless in this regard”, Mitha Khan Kakar, a lawmaker from the ruling BAP demanded. Balochistan Education Minister, Naseebullah Marri was about the table the legislation when Kakar objected to it. Although, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo urged the members to adopt the legislation.
Some lawmakers stage walkout from the house
However, Malik Sikandar Advocate, the opposition leader in Balochistan Assembly suggested the chair/speaker refer the legislation to the standing committee for a thorough consultation. Subsequently, the House passed the legislation with majority votes. Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran of the ruling BAP said it was not written in the constitution that a Pashtoon has to be the Governor of Balochistan. “We all belong to one province and we all are one”, he said. Nasrullah Khan Zarai of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) said that the academic staff association has expressed reservations about the legislation. The number of universities across Balochistan is currently nine.
The chair adjourned the house proceedings till April 14th.
This is the black act. The CM of the province can’t control the education of schools and colleges. First his priority must be schools and colleges in far flung and poor districts of Balochistan. Giving power to the CM of universities is black act