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5000 students scholarships, Balochistan given importance in budget: PM

by Quetta Voice Web Desk 0
Editorial: In a humiliating way, four vice-chancellors of public universities in Balochistan were removed by the Governor/Chancellor the other day. Although, violations of laws and rules are nothing new in Balochistan, the country's least-developed but resource-rich province. Without any inquiry or investigation, the VCs of the University of Balochistan, Balochistan Univesity of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Loralai University, and Lasbella Science and Marines University were removed from their positions. The sources within the Balochistan government cited the expiry of the tenure of the two VCs as the main reason behind the removal. However, the two VCs' tenure was scheduled to be expired in September and October this year. What was the reason behind this haste? The answer is simple. We are still alien to rules and regulations and consider our mighty official, political and social positions above the law. As per the Balochistan Universities Act 2022, the government can initiate an investigation against any VC in the case of corruption/moral corruption or illegal use of power. The government can only remove the said VC if allegations are proven against him. The Act clearly says that the VC has to be given the opportunity to defend himself against any allegations. Whereas, Governor Malik Abdul Wali Kakar removed all with a stroke of a pen without any investigation. Undoubtedly, there have to be no prolonged tenures of the VCs like Dr. Farooq Ahmed Bazai remained the VC for 17 years of the BUITEMS. He had to be changed. We have only an objection over the humiliating way, he was removed. There had to be a dignified and respectable way for the removal of VC who is also a teacher. No word from the government or Governor's house about the fate of VC Sardar Bahadur Khan (SBK) Women's University. There were repeated allegations against the VC SBK. Nevertheless, the VC SBK managed to meet the Governor and brief him about her university. The SBK has also been given the task to recruit 9000 teachers. Repeated complaints came about in the process of recruitment by the SBK and gives more answers than questions.
File Photo: Governor Balochistan, Syed Zahoor Ahmed Agha posing for a photograph with VC and students of BUITEMS: Photo provided by Governor's House

News Desk:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday said his government has given importance to Balochistan and the education sector in the financial budget for the year 2022-23. The Premier took to the social media network Twitter and mentioned that youth have been provided a lot of opportunities in the budget.

The federal government has announced 5,000 scholarships for the students of Balochistan during the current budget for the year 2022-23. The Prime Minister also stated that as promised the government preferred not to cut the education budget. The development budget for the HEC has been increased from Rs. 26 billion to Rs. 44 billion, representing an increase of 67%.

Also Read: Balochistan to be given due share in federal budget 2022-23: Ahsan Iqbal

The HEC budget includes 5,000 scholarships for Balochistan and the amalgamated districts and a separate scholarship scheme for the coastal areas of Balochistan. One lakh laptops will be provided to students across the country in easy installments. And Rs 65 billion has been allocated for HEC.

Shehbaz Sharif stated that the government has announced targeted subsidies for the financially weaker people to improve their living conditions. More importantly, it has taxed non-productive assets of the rich.

“Our commitment to education is firm and absolute”, the Premier concluded.

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Quetta Voice is an English Daily covering all unfolding political, economic and social issues relating to Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province in terms of area. QV's main focus is on stories related to education, promotion of quality education and publishing reports about out of school children in the province. QV has also a vigilant eye on health, climate change and other key sectors.