Universities in Balochistan will be under the control of the Chief Minister, Assembly passed the law on Monday evening.
According to reports, the provincial assembly passed the Balochistan universities amendment act that the universities across Balochistan will be under jurisdiction of the Chief Minister rather than the Governor. The bill was tabled by Balochistan Education Minister, Mir Naseebullah Marri, which was adopted by a majority of the members.
Mitha Khan Kakar of the ruling Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Nasrullah Zarai of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) expressed concerns about curtailing the powers of the Governor. They demanded of the Speaker refer the bill to the standing committee for further deliberations.
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 Balochistan.
“Governor should not be made powerless in this regard”, Mitha Khan Kakar demanded. Kakar objected when Naseebullah Marri was about to table the legislation. Although, CM Balochistan, Quddus Bizenjo urged the members to adopt the legislation.
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 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.