Sindh Passes Controversial Law on Vice Chancellor Appointments
Despite strong resistance from opposition parties, the Sindh Assembly, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), passed the Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Bill on Friday. The new law permits bureaucrats without a PhD to be appointed as vice-chancellors in universities across the province.
The bill sparked heated protests in the assembly, with opposition members from Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council gathering in front of the Speaker’s desk, chanting slogans and tearing up copies of the bill in protest.
Key Changes in the Bill:
. Bureaucrats with a master’s degree can now be appointed as vice-chancellors.
. A BPS-21 or higher officer with a bachelor’s in engineering and a master’s from an HEC-recognized institution is also eligible.
. Bureaucrats appointed as VC must resign from civil service.
. Academics with a PhD, 15 years of experience, and a strong research record remain eligible.
. The age limit for applicants is set at 62 years.
. A search committee will shortlist three candidates for final selection.
Opposition’s Concerns
Opposition Leader Rana Ansar criticized the bill’s urgency, stating that such amendments should have been discussed thoroughly. “If the government wants to silence us, it should stop talking about democracy,” he remarked.
Other Legislation Passed
The Sindh Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill was also approved, removing financial limits on district courts in civil cases. This change aims to reduce the Sindh High Court’s workload by transferring pending cases to district courts, ensuring quicker and more affordable justice.
