Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Adnan Aamir
Quetta – Civil Society Balochistan has demanded from Balochistan government to constitute a new committee to investigate Higher Education Commission (HEC) resource distribution to Balochistan.
This demand was made by Convener of Civil Society Balochistan, Sami Zarkoon in a press conference held at Quetta Press Club on Saturday. Mr. Zarkoon was flanked by Gul Khan Naseer of Education Network Balochistan and Shazia Langove of National Party.
Convener of Civil Society Balochistan hailed the announcement of four member committee to investigate HEC resource distribution to Balochistan. “We fear that committee members from Balochistan will be pre-occupied with their official duties and will not be able to study in detail HEC resource distribution.” Sami Zarkoon Said.
In that context, Civil Society Balochistan demanded from Balochistan government to form a committee of high ranking bureaucrats or retired educators which would assist the two members of Balochistan in HEC sanction committee.
“Bureaucrats will be free from influence of HEC and they will pursue the matter in a more transparent way,” said speakers at press conference.
Civil Society Balochistan members thanked Secretary Education Balochistan; Abdul Saboor Kakar for taking notice of how HEC is depriving Balochistan after it was published in a Newspaper. “We are thankful to Mr. Saboor Kakar who brought the issue of resource distribution of Balochistan to HEC officials,” said Mr. Zarkoon.
It was stated in the press conference that HEC is violating the Article 37(A) of Pakistan’s Constitution which reads, “Promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of backward classes or areas.”
Civil Society Balochistan representatives said that according to constitution of Pakistan, Balochistan should get 6 percent share in scholarships and grants of HEC. “Annual report 2012-13 of HEC shows that Balochistan is not getting more than 3 percent share by average in all of HEC programs,” representatives added.
Civil Society Balochistan warned that they can exercise different options including protest demonstrations if government did not take action based on their demands.
Staff report
Published in The Balochistan Point on January 16, 2016
