Press Release Title: Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad

Press Release Date: 26th June, 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, met today in Parliament House Islamabd under the chairpersonship of Senator Bushra Anjum Butt to review a series of legislative proposals and institutional matters of national educational significance. *International Examination Board Bill Gains Support* The committee opened deliberations with the *International Examination Board Bill, drawing strong support from members for its passage. Committee member **Khalil Tahir Sindhu* emphasized, "The International Examination Board Bill should be passed." He added that the bill is crucial for enhancing the quality of education in Pakistan.   Raising serious concerns about the inefficiency of domestic boards, *Rana Qasim Noon* pointed out, "Currently, about 37 intermediate and secondary boards are functioning in the country. These boards themselves give positions to children, but toppers do not succeed in the entry test." He further lamented that "crowns of domestic rupees are going abroad due to substandard degrees," asserting that "a transparent education system will be in the interest of the country." *Committee Postpones Gharki Institute Bill for Further Review* The committee also took up the *Gharki Institute of Science and Technology Bill 2025, introduced by Senator Sherry Rehman. MNA **Samina Khalid Gharki* briefed the committee on the proposed institution, but concerns were raised over jurisdiction. Committee member *Kamran Murtaza* questioned, "If there is an institution in Punjab, why are they getting it passed by the federal government?" He noted that while the province has the authority, "there may be questions later." Senator Sherry Rehman proposed deferring the matter, and the committee agreed to *postpone the bill to the next meeting.* *FBSE Amendment Bill Sparks Legal Debate* The *FBSE Amendment Bill, introduced by the Federal Minister for Education, triggered a strong exchange of views regarding its legal implications. Chairperson of the committee questioned the absence of the Minister: *"Shouldn’t the Minister of Education be present?" Committee member *Kamran Murtaza* raised constitutional concerns, asking, "You want to nullify the Supreme Court’s judgment?" and formally requested that "the committee should note my disagreement on this bill." Committee member *Afnanullah Khan* replied, "You can change the law," affirming the legislative authority. Ministry officials clarified that "the National Assembly has the authority to amend the law," but left it to the committee to decide whether the power to appoint the Federal Board Chairman should rest with the Cabinet or the Prime Minister. The Chairperson concluded, "This bill is in accordance with the law, Kamran Murtaza's disagreement should be noted." *Sub-Committee Formed on Balochistan University Bill* On the *University of Business Science and Technology Bill* concerning Balochistan, Senator *Abdul Shakoor* stressed, *"This bill should be approved as a special case. To address regional representation and concerns, the Chairperson formed a *sub-committee under Senator Afnanullah Khan, which will include **Senator  Naseem’s Ehsan. Afnanullah stated, *"We will find a solution to this whole situation in the committee." *Concerns Over Education Access for Special Children* Senator *Sarmad Ali* inquired whether "any policy on admission of physically challenged children in schools" existed. Ministry officials confirmed there is *no current policy* for either private or public institutions. The Chairperson remarked, "If the Minister of Education were here, there would have been an answer," and directed that a *detailed presentation* be submitted in the next meeting. *Pakistan Institute of Fashion Designing Under Scrutiny*   In a critical review of the *Pakistan Institute of Fashion Designing*, the Chairperson commented on administrative stagnation: *"A VC comes back again and again — the same VC comes for 25 years."*The committee deferred the bill with further compliance to review policy on VC appointment and make amendments as required the matter was deferred untill the next session.   Butt reiterated that all laws and amendments should be made in accordance with law and in the greater interest of students and educational refinement The meeting was attended by Senators *Falak Naz, **Fawzia Arshad, **Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, **Kamran Murtaza, **Khalida Ateeb, **Naseema Ehsan, **Gurdeep Singh, **Sherry Rehman, **Abdul Shakoor Khan, **Sarmad Ali, and **Khalil Tahir Sindhu* (virtually).