Punjab Assembly Approves PHEC Age Limit Amendment Amid Contentious Session
The Punjab Assembly in Lahore witnessed a highly charged session on Tuesday, marked by unanimous legislative approval and sharp criticism of bureaucratic absenteeism. Lawmakers passed the Punjab Higher Education Commission (Amendment) Bill 2025 while the Deputy Speaker delivered strong reprimands to senior officials over their failure to attend proceedings.
Delayed Start and Legislative Action
The Assembly session, which began with a delay of two hours and six minutes, was presided over by Deputy Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channar. Designated as a Private Members Day, the session saw the unanimous passage of the significant education reform bill.
The legislation, moved by treasury member Amjad Ali Javed, amends the Punjab Higher Education Commission Act of 2014 to establish an upper age limit of 65 years for appointments to the position of PHEC chairman. This represents a substantial policy shift in higher education governance.
Rationale Behind the Age Limit Amendment
During the debate on the bill, Amjad Ali Javed explained that previously no age restriction existed for the chairman's position, potentially allowing indefinite tenure. He noted that the current chairman is 75 years old and emphasized that human capacity naturally declines with time.
"The chairman oversees the entire higher education system and makes critical decisions that affect thousands of students," Javed stated. "Institutions should not depend on individuals but should provide opportunities for capable and talented youth to assume leadership roles."
He added pointedly: "Some people consider themselves indispensable, but graveyards are full of indispensable people. Systems continue to function regardless."
The bill received consensus approval and will now proceed to the Governor of Punjab for final assent, marking a potential generational shift in educational leadership.
Strong Reaction to Official Absences
During Question Hour, discussions concerning the Local Government Department prompted a forceful response from the chair regarding the non-appearance of the Secretary Local Government. Deputy Speaker Channar expressed clear displeasure at this absence.
Addressing Parliamentary Secretary Khurram Waris, the Deputy Speaker questioned why the secretary had failed to attend despite assembly members being present and discussions involving budgets worth billions of rupees.
"Are bureaucrats above elected representatives? Is it that they cannot come to the House?" he remarked in strong language. The Deputy Speaker ordered an immediate 30-minute adjournment and directed that the secretary be summoned to appear before the Assembly.
Following the recess, the session resumed only after the Secretary Local Government and Community Development presented himself in the Assembly chamber.
Corruption Allegations and Regional Concerns
In subsequent proceedings, ruling party MPA Amjad Ali Javed raised serious allegations of corruption in development projects within Toba Tek Singh. Taking immediate notice of these claims, Deputy Speaker Channar referred the matter to the relevant committee for thorough investigation.
The Deputy Speaker also expressed grave concern about the deteriorating situation in Bahawalpur, stating that the city remained submerged in water with no responsible officer having visited the affected area. He lamented that despite ministers providing assurances to the House on three separate occasions about resolving the problems, no tangible progress had materialized.
"Does Bahawalpur not fall within Punjab?" he questioned rhetorically, highlighting apparent neglect of the region's pressing issues.
Session Adjournment
After completion of the day's agenda, Panel of Chairpersons member Samiullah Khan adjourned the Punjab Assembly session until Wednesday at 2:00 PM. The session demonstrated both legislative progress and ongoing challenges in governance accountability across Punjab province.
