Ijaz Kakakhel Islamabad
Due to lack of financial resources, a legislative body of Senate on Tuesday remarked that provincial gov-ernments are responsible for neces-sary funding of the educational institutions estab-lished by them. Mushroom growth of varsities cre-ates difficulties for HEC which is already strapped for funds. Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Irfan Siddiqui expressed these views while chairing the committee meeting at Old PIPS Hall, Parliament Lodges.
He also directed the HEC to collaborate with the university and intimate the Provincial Gov-ernments to provide funds for educational institu-tions work-ing under their purview. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed suggested that the ministry should also an-nounce relief package for the students of flood af-fected areas. Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hus-sain told that the ministry has deferred the two se-mester’s fees and also intends to offer scholarships to stu-dents of flood affected areas.
Discussing the current status, annual budget and details of funds allocated for development and non-development projects of Al Qadir University Jhe-lum, It was re-vealed that there no such university registered with HEC. Federal Minister for Education informed that Al Qadir University does not exist and HEC has not provided any funds for the alleged university.
The Chair deferred the further consideration of the mat-ter till the next meeting. In addition, the com-mittee was briefed by Vice Chancellor of Chitral Univer-sity regarding the issues of the institution. VC of university informed that the primary issue is of funds and since the inception; the university was financed through Annual Development Program (ADP) for three years and after that neither the Fed-eral Government nor the provincial Government is willing to provide funds. The senate body also de-liberated on the Bill titled “The Federal University (Amendment) Bill, 2022”.
