Pakistan Senate panel approves 19 higher ed bills

In a move to broaden higher education opportunities across Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, has greenlighted 19 bills for the creation of new academic institutions. The decision was made after careful review and in-depth discussions.

The session was marked by constructive conversations, which allowed the committee to arrive at a consensus and approve the majority of the Bills on the agenda. Five of these bills stand out as particularly significant for their potential contribution to the country’s educational landscape. 

These include:

• “The Askari Institute of Higher Education Bill, 2023,” sponsored by Senators Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and Hidayatullah Khan.
• “The Metropolitan International Institute of Science and Technology Bill, 2023,” backed by Senators Kauda Babar and Naseebullah Bazai.
• “The Rahim Jan University Bill, 2023,” introduced by Senators Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah and Naseebullah Bazai.
• “The Islamabad University of Communication and Emerging Sciences Bill, 2023,” presented by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir.
• “The Kalam Bibi International Women Institute Bannu (Amendment) Bill, 2023,” introduced by Senator Kamran Murtaza.

These bills were scrutinized and aligned with the strict standards set forth by the Higher Education Commission, ensuring they met the necessary criteria for approval.

While the committee’s decisions were largely positive, some Bills were identified as falling short of the HEC’s standards, leading to their rejection. Others were dismissed due to the lack of presence from their proponents.

The committee meeting was attended by an extensive group of senators, including Mehr Taj Roghani, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Fawzia Arshad, Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar, Rukhsana Zuberi, Rana Maqbool Ahmad, and Falak Naz, among others. Bill movers and key officials such as the chairman of the HEC and representatives from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training were also present.

This ambitious effort represents a major step forward in the development of the country’s higher education sector. By authorizing these new institutions, the Senate committee has demonstrated a commitment to expanding access to quality education, fostering innovation, and contributing to national progress. The approved institutions are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and generating opportunities for the next generation of scholars, researchers, and professionals.