FAPUASA Condemns HEC Amendment Bill 2023

News Desk

Islamabad: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has condemned the federal government for hastily presenting the Higher Education Commission Amendment Bill 2023 in the federal cabinet meeting held yesterday without consultation with any of the stakeholder groups.

In a joint statement, FAPUASA members, provincial chapter presidents, general secretaries, and members of the Executive Council stated that the passing of this proposed bill is a complete violation of provincial autonomy and the eighteenth amendment, and is tantamount to ending the autonomy of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and universities.

The decision to appoint the chairman and members of the commission has been given directly to the prime minister; the number of members of the HEC has also been reduced, and the representation of the provinces has also been eliminated, it added.

Provincial assemblies and provincial governments were also barred from establishing new universities. The statement made it clear that before such important legislation, the provinces and the primary stakeholders, i.e., teachers and their elected representatives, should have been taken into confidence in all circumstances and presented in constitutional forums, especially the council of common interest. But unfortunately, all these important forums were neglected.

FAPUASA demands all the provincial governments, the HEC, and all political parties, especially the government political parties, should not allow this bill to pass, and under the eighteenth amendment, the Provincial HEC should be established and the autonomy of the universities should be secured in the budget of the universities.

In this regard, a meeting of the central executive council of FAPUASA will be convened on July 12, 2023, in Islamabad.