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Sindh Assembly Opens VC Role to Bureaucrats

Sindh Assembly Opens VC Role to Bureaucrats

The Sindh Assembly, led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), passed the Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Bill on Friday, despite strong opposition from the three main opposition parties. The new law allows bureaucrats without a PhD to be appointed as vice-chancellors in universities across the province.

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The session saw heightened tensions as members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), and the Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council protested the bill, gathering in front of the Speaker’s desk and chanting slogans. During the clause-by-clause approval process, opposition lawmakers tore up copies of the bill in defiance.

Key Amendments in the Bill

  • Bureaucrats with a master’s degree are now eligible to be appointed as vice-chancellors in Sindh’s universities.
  • Officers of BPS-21 or above, with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree from an HEC-recognized institution, can also qualify.
  • Once appointed as vice-chancellor, the bureaucrat must resign from civil service.
  • Academics with a PhD, 15 years of experience in research, academia, or management, and a strong publication record remain eligible.
  • The age limit for applicants is set at 62 years.
  • A search committee will recommend three shortlisted candidates for the final appointment.

Opposition’s Concerns

Opposition Leader Rana Ansar criticized the government for rushing the bill without proper consultation, arguing that such amendments required broader discussion. “If the government wants to silence us, it should stop talking about democracy,” he remarked.

Other Legislation Passed

The assembly also approved the Sindh Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, which removes financial limits on district courts in civil cases. Key provisions include:

  • Granting district courts unlimited jurisdiction over civil cases, reducing the workload of the Sindh High Court.
  • Transferring all pending cases from the High Court’s original jurisdiction to district courts.

Defending the bill, the law minister stated that the amendments were aimed at ensuring quicker and more affordable justice rather than benefiting specific individuals.

Related: University Teachers Suspend Classes Across Sindh
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