The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training met here in the chair of Senator Raheela Magsi.
The committee met to discuss point of public importance regarding HEC-funded medical scholarships for the students of Balochistan and Fata raised by Senator Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar, debate on point of public importance regarding delaying tactics by HEC in giving compensation to the people whose pieces of land were acquired for establishment of universities, raised by Senator Dilawar Khan, and hold discussion on the point of public importance regarding Rules for PhD students by HEC raised by Senator Mohammad Ali Khan Saif. All these points were raised by abovementioned senators in the Senate sitting held on January 29, 2019.
The committee expressed serious concerns over the repeated absence of the chairman HEC from the meeting, observing that important issues are lingering on which need to be resolved. The committee directed the chairman HEC to ensure his presence in coming meetings to resolve matters related to higher education.
Senator Kakar said that scholarships for medical students of Fata and Balochistan were raised in the House. He said that HEC takes tests by itself and selects candidates as well. He further said that 29 scholarships were awarded this year compared to 192 last year.
The HEC officials said that of the total 29 seats, 14 seats were allocated to Fata and the remaining to students from Balochistan while they have requested the PMDC for increasing the number of scholarships.
It was revealed that PMDC has only increased 3 seats during the six months and which were also taken out from the merit seats on which Fata students have gone to the court. The committee was informed that in light of the Supreme Court (SC) decision, quota has been increased to 197.
Raheela Magsi said if the SC has directed for increasing the number of quota, PMDC should not object to it. Senator Nauman Wazir also expressed concerns over the decrease in the number of scholarships while saying that backward areas should be given their due rights.
The PMDC officials maintained that they are ready to cooperate if HEC comes forward with proposals. The job of PMDC is registration of medical colleges while funds are being released by the HEC.
On this, the committee chairperson directed HEC for writing a letter for scholarships to PMDC immediately and a copy of which should be submitted to the committee. The committee further recommended the HEC and PMDC for joint action to resolve students' issues.
Senator Dilawar Khan said that about 7,000 kanals of land have been allocated to three universities near Mardan but despite the passage of long time, poor people of the area are knocking at the court's doors to get compensation for their land. The HEC is not extending any relief to them, he added.
Concerned officials informed that it is a provincial matter. University itself prepares PC-1. Initially rate of Rs 2,000 per malra was decided; however the matter is sub judice before the high court.
Dilawar Khan said that with each passing day, the rate of the land and compensation is increasing; therefore, it is better to give relief to the public.
Senator Manzoor Kakar said that court is not stopping anybody from out of court settlement; therefore, the matter should be resolved amicably. The committee decided to constitute a subcommittee on the matter to find a solution in this regard.
The committee also recommended for such courses which are relevant to the modern world requirements. The officials concerned assured the committee that the matter would be discussed with all stakeholders.